The airline will become the alliance’s 16th member.
Philippine Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Oneworld alliance during the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro.
The Manila-based carrier is expected to complete the integration process and become a full member of the alliance “some time during 2027”, Oneworld chief executive Ole Orver said during the signing ceremony.
He says PAL is “the perfect fit for us to get a hub in a part of the world where we weren’t that strong in the past”.
American Airlines chief executive and Oneworld chairman Robert Isom says that PAL’s network “perfectly plugs into other Oneworld hubs around the world”, noting that it adds 33 new destinations to the alliance’s network. The addition of PAL is “a big win” for the alliance, he adds.
Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall says the invitation for the carrier to join Oneworld reflects the airline’s progress in recent years, pointing to its restructuring during the Covid-19 pandemic, from which he says the carrier is “emerging stronger than ever”.
“We are moving forward with a new focus and determination,” says Nuttall, adding that the carrier “understands there is significant work ahead” to complete the integration process.
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