Swiss enters alliance with BA

CASH-STRAPPED Swiss International Air Lines will enter into an alliance with British Airways, becoming the ninth member of the oneworld global airline alliance. According to Airwise.com, the Swiss board rejected a deal from Germany’s Lufthansa, a member of the rival Star Alliance, in favor of the BA tie-up which will allow it to retain more of its independence. The agreement will give British Airways access to eight of Swiss’s take-off and landing slots at London Heathrow Airport. In return, the UK airline will provide US$37 million (R263m) of financial backing to its new partner.