Tripartite link-up 'offers better deal to passengers' says BA boss Walsh

British Airways promised passengers cheaper fares and more travelling choices yesterday as it officially launched a transatlantic business link-up with US carrier American Airlines and Spanish airline Iberia.

The three airlines announced four new routes to start next year, including a BA service between Heathrow and San Diego in southern California.

The deal, which was given the nod in recent weeks, will mean the three carriers will jointly market, or codeshare, on 2,600 extra flights.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We've waited 14 years to be able to do this, so it's an historic occasion."

The new joint business allows the three airlines to co-operate commercially on flights between the European Union, Switzerland and Norway and the United States, Mexico and Canada. It has been approved by the competition authorities of the EU and the US.

Walsh said: "Today's route announcement is a great example of how by working together we can benefit customers. Combined selling and scheduling means that we will be able to operate routes that would not have been viable for us to operate individually. This partnership will provide a one-stop shop for transatlantic travel, regardless of how you book, which of our airlines you fly with, or where you want to transfer."

Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive of AMR Corp, the parent company of American Airlines, said: "We've been waiting for 14 years to be able to bring these benefits to our customers and it's great news that we can now put our plans into action."

Antonio Vazquez, chairman and chief executive of Iberia, added: "The growth potential of our joint business and the extra capacity Madrid offers will enable the airport to become one of the main gateways for flights between North America and Europe in the very near future."

Walsh said that, if a customer bought a ticket on the BA website, the price would be the same on American Airlines' (AA) and Iberia's websites.

All three carriers are keeping their individual identities, with Walsh stressing that the trio would "not be seeking to provide exactly the same type of service".

Asked about any job implications at BA, Walsh said: "This is a positive news story about jobs.We shall be recruiting at BA."

He was asked if BA would use AA or Iberia staff if BA cabin crew went on strike this Christmas, replying: "Today's announcement does not involve swapping any employees."

Quizzed further about the BA cabin crew dispute, Walsh said he had "no concerns whatsoever" that any management changes in staff working practices would be overturned by the courts.

He said the BA-AA-Iberia link-up had "no bearing or relevance" on any BA industrial relations matter, past or present.

l International airline passengers want self-service extended from online booking and kiosk check-in to security and passport control and boarding their flights, an industry report said yesterday.