Mexicana joins oneworld airline alliance

Mexicana, the leading airline in Mexico and Central America, will provide oneworld a more extensive route system in the Spanish-speaking and Latin American markets, where American Airlines and oneworld are already dominant, industry officials said.

Beginning Tuesday, members of the MexicanaGO frequent flier program can earn and redeem mileage awards on all oneworld partners, which include American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian as well as nearly 20 affiliated carriers.

In addition, the nearly 100 million members of the oneworld frequent flier programs will be able to earn and redeem awards and receive all other oneworld benefits on Mexicana and its two affiliates as of Tuesday, officials said.

Gerard Arpey, CEO of American Airlines and governing board chairman of oneworld, said the alliance is very selective about new members.

"We only consider airlines with brands that match the quality of our established partners, who share our priorities of safety, customer service and profitability and who can expand our existing combined network in key regions, rather than simply replicating what we already offer," Arpey said. "As the leading carrier in Mexico and Central America,

Mexicana more than fits the bill. We are delighted to be welcoming it and its customers on board oneworld."

Iberia Chairman and CEO Antonio Vazquez said Iberia was honored to act as Mexicana's sponsor into oneworld, which strengthened the ties between the two airlines.

"Mexicana will considerably strengthen oneworld's long established position as the leading airline alliance in the Spanish-speaking world and in Latin America, making it easier for more customers to reach more places more easily and for better value with some of the world's best airlines," Vazquez said.

Mexicana CEO Manuel Borja said the oneworld alliance will offer customers a more extensive route network, additional frequent flier rewards, more customer service and better value.

"For Mexicana and our employees, becoming part of oneworld, flying alongside some of the most respected names in the airline industry worldwide, strengthens our position considerably in an increasingly competitive marketplace," Borja said.

The addition of Mexicana and its affiliates, MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink, will add 67 destinations -- 37 of them in Mexico -- in 14 countries to oneworld's route systems. Mexicana flies to 41 destinations in 14 countries.

American Airlines flies to 41 cities in 17 countries in Mexico and Latin America.

Privately held Mexicana Airlines operates 63 aircraft. MexicanaClick operates 24 Fokker 100s and six Boeing 717s.

MexicanaLink operates 12 Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets.

MEXICANA AIRLINES

Founded: July 1921

Based: Mexico City's Benito Juarez International airport

Employees: 8,400 people

Fleet: 63 aircraft, including 26 Airbus A320s, 21 A319s, 10 A318s, two A330s, two Boeing 767-200s and two Boeing 767-300s

Route system: Flies to 41 destinations in 14 countries, including 11 cities in Mexico

2008 passenger boardings: 8.3 million

Source: Mexicana Airlines

D.R. Stewart 581-8451 don.stewart@tulsaworld.com

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