The oneworld Alliance is actively considering adding an Indian airline to its roster as the aviation market in India continues to demonstrate strong growth. This move signals the alliance's strategic interest in expanding its footprint in the rapidly evolving Indian aviation sector.

India as a Key Market

India's aviation sector is the third-largest globally and is projected to reach 500 million passengers by 2030. This makes it a compelling market for airline alliances seeking to enhance their global connectivity. CEO of oneworld, Nat Pieper, acknowledged India's importance, noting that several of the alliance's existing members already operate routes to and from the country. He stated that the alliance collectively has an interest in finding an Indian partner.

Strategic Considerations

While the addition of a new member can be complex, as it must benefit both the alliance and each of its 15 individual members, oneworld is exploring various avenues to strengthen its presence in India. These include potential loyalty program deals and joint lounge initiatives to leverage the combined presence of its members in the country.

Historical Context

This is not the first time oneworld has considered an Indian airline partner. In 2010, Kingfisher Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to join the alliance, but the deal never materialized. In 2014, oneworld again expressed interest in an Indian partner as Air India prepared to join the Star Alliance.

Oneworld's Current Presence in India

Currently, no Indian airlines are part of the oneworld Alliance. However, several oneworld members, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, and Srilankan Airlines, operate direct flights to India. These airlines connect India to various global destinations, providing Indian travelers access to the alliance's network of over 1,000 destinations in more than 170 countries.

Benefits of Joining Oneworld

For an Indian airline, joining oneworld would offer several advantages, including:

• Enhanced Global Connectivity: Access to oneworld's extensive network, allowing the airline to offer seamless travel to more destinations.
• Increased Revenue: Potential for increased passenger traffic through codeshare agreements and joint ventures with other oneworld members.
• Improved Customer Experience: Ability to offer frequent flyer benefits, lounge access, and other privileges to its customers across the oneworld network.
• Enhanced Brand Recognition: Association with a globally recognized airline alliance, enhancing the airline's brand image and reputation.

Oneworld's Expansion Strategy

The consideration of an Indian partner aligns with oneworld's broader expansion strategy. The alliance has recently welcomed new members, including Oman Air and Fiji Airways. Hawaiian Airlines is expected to join in 2026. These additions demonstrate oneworld's commitment to strengthening its global network and providing its customers with more travel options.

As the Indian aviation market continues to grow, oneworld's pursuit of an Indian partner reflects the alliance's strategic focus on capturing a larger share of this important market. The addition of an Indian airline would not only benefit oneworld but also provide the Indian carrier with access to a global network and a range of benefits that would enhance its competitiveness.