Novosibirsk-based S7 to join Oneworld Alliance
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Novosibirsk-based S7 Airlines that is currently Russia's fastest growing airline and recently passed Aeroflot as Russia's largest domestic airline, will formally join Oneworld alliance on November 15. Tolmachevo Airport is stil number one hub for S7, hence we could expect Novosibirsk to become more open for international routes. As Aviation Week report, S7 CEO Vladimir Obyedkov said the benefit of joining the alliance already is being felt across the airline. “We can see a positive effect on quality. The airline has undergone a financial and technical audit,” he says. “We have had expert inputs into our incomes and efficiencies.” Although Obyedkov is reluctant to put any specific numbers on the effect that joining Oneworld will have on S7’s financial position, he expects business passengers “will increase by 10% next year” as a result of the tie-up. S7 has worked closely with Oneworld member British Airways, which was the designated carrier tasked with helping the airline ensure it met the alliance’s standards in flight operations and safety. On Oct. 8, S7 successfully completed its third International Air Transport Association IOSA safety oversight audit, says Obyedkov. In the area of flight safety, the airline has installed an automated risk management system which allows “errors to be detected at any level and be corrected,” he says. Obyedkov says that S7 chose the Oneworld alliance over rivals Star and SkyTeam because, although it is not the largest, the airline favors its strategy of adopting “one company for one region” which means partners are not competing directly with each other. |
