There are again encouraging signs emerging that China is preparing to reopen its borders to the outside world, as the country’s biggest airline is reportedly in negotiations at this time to join one of the world’s major airline alliances.
When the quarantine for international arrivals in China is finally lifted, there is expected to be an enormous boom in travel, both in and out of the country. It therefore makes sense for the One World alliance to negotiate with China Southern Airlines to be the group’s first Chinese carrier member.
Business analysts Bloomberg is the global business analyst saying the talks are underway, while One World itself remains tight-lipped on the matter.
Aviation insider publication, ch-aviation, is reporting a One World spokesperson as saying, “At any point in time, we are in dialogue with potential candidates but do not comment on any specifics until those discussions have reached a level of maturity where public announcements can be made”.
While China Southern may be the first Chinese member of One World, the other two major airline alliances have been faster on the draw. SkyTeam has China Eastern Airlines on it membership roster, and Air China and Shenzhen Airlines are both signed up with Star Alliance.
Should the China Southern deal go through, they will join the One World family that comprises Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, JAL, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines.
Getting ready to join the group is Oman Air, while Russian S7 Airlines’ membership is at present suspended.
Speculation is rife that it be American Airlines driving the talks, given that it is China Southern’s second-largest shareholder, holding 5.83 percent of shares.
Away from One World, China Southern already has in place numerous links and code-sharing agreements with other major airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, and Qantas.
China Southern has preferred to maintain such individual links with other airlines since quitting the SkyTeam alliance in 2018.
