Russia’s leading domestic carrier S7 has joined the British Airways-led Oneworld alliance with its subsidiary Globus becoming an affiliate member.
The two airlines add 55 destinations in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States to the schedule of the global airline grouping including nine countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
This almost triples the number of destinations served by the alliance in Russia, the CIS and other parts of east Europe to 84 destinations in 26 countries.
S7 and Globus between them serve 90 destinations and 28 countries. BA has been supporting S7 through its 18-month alliance implementation as its Oneworld sponsor airline.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “Our focus on quality means that we are particularly selective and demanding in the airlines we invite to join us.
“We only consider carriers who match the quality of our existing members – in their approach to customer service, innovation, safety and security.
“Today, Oneworld has added another great airline, the best, we firmly believe, in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States – S7.”
Oneworld managing partner John McCulloch added: “S7 will expand Oneworld’s network substantially in a key region of growing travel demand, with a carrier that matches our demanding quality requirements, while enabling S7 to offer its customers a truly global network on quality partners.”