oneworld CEO Rob Gurney will depart the alliance’s central management team effective July 1st, 2023. American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja will spearhead the search for Mr. Gurney’s successor on behalf of oneworld.
On Thursday (May 4, 2023), oneworld® announced that the alliance’s CEO Rob Gurney will depart the organization effective July 1st, 2023. American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja will lead the search for Mr. Gurney’s successor on behalf of oneworld. Rob Gurney joined oneworld and 2016 and grew the alliance with the addition of Royal Air Maroc, Alaska Airlines and future member Oman Air. Additionally, he championed the alliance’s sustainability efforts as member airlines committed to a 10 percent SAF target by 2030. During his tenure, oneworld also launched oneworld connect, offering airlines a new way to link to the alliance and provide more travelers oneworld benefits.
In Thursday’s announcement, oneworld Chairman and Qatar Airways Group’s Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said,
“We are grateful to Rob for his leadership in navigating oneworld through the challenges of the past six years. Rob has played a critical role in establishing oneworld as the most preferred alliance by global travellers with a best-in-class travel experience.”
Also commenting on Mr. Gurney’s departure from the alliance, American Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer, Robert Isom, added,
“With travellers around the world eagerly returning to the skies, the oneworld Alliance plays a critical role in providing global connectivity. Making the travel experience between oneworld member airlines seamless for our customers is a top priority for oneworld this year and beyond.”
Recently, oneworld moved their global headquarters from New York City to Fort Worth, Texas to further grow and strengthen their partnerships with member airlines. The alliance was named ‘Best Airline Alliance’ by both Business Traveler USA and Global Traveler in 2022.
oneworld brings together 14 world class airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines, as well as over 20 of their affiliates and Fiji Airways, a oneworld connect partner. Oman Air is expected to become a oneworld alliance member airline in 2024.
Source: oneworld