Japan gives go-ahead for Iberia to join airline grouping

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has extended anti-trust immunity to include Spanish flag carrier Iberia in the cooperation between Japan Airlines, British Airways and Finnair.
It will allow the four airlines to cooperate commercially on flights between Europe and Japan, including a new service between Madrid and Tokyo expected to start on October 18.
The four airlines added that the revenue-sharing agreement will strengthen the oneworld alliance and enable it to compete more effectively with other groupings.
Alex Cruz, president and chief executive of British Airways, already a partner of Iberia in IAG said: “We are delighted our sister airline Iberia will be joining our oneworld partners in the joint business…Iberia’s direct flights between Narita and Madrid will be a very popular addition.”