Skift Take
Given new chess moves such as Emirates' new relationship with Qantas, some would argue that the importance of global airline alliances are diminishing. El Al's best options, however, remain with the global alliances, but they are turning a deaf ear.
During the recent strike by Histadrut, the Israeli labor federation, over a European open skies agreement, Israeli national airline El Al issued a statement arguing that its ability to effectively compete with European carriers has been hurt because global airline alliances have rebuffed the airline's attempts to join one of them.
"Most carriers flying to Israel are part of a large international airline alliance," the Israeli national carrier stated. "EL AL has been trying to become a member, but for obvious political reasons, has not been accepted. The fact that we are not able to join an alliance severely restricts our global operations and destinations served."
Politics certainly plays a strong role in keeping El Al out of the global alliances, and could be the strongest reason for the rebuff. After all, Royal Jordanian is a six-year member of oneworld, although Israeli-Jordanian relations are fairly good, and Qatar Airways is a member-elect; Saudi Airlines belongs to SkyTeam, and the Star Alliance counts Turkish Airlines, which flies to Tel Aviv, as a member.
Meanwhile, several European countries, notably France, which has Air France in SkyTeam, likewise have been vocal critics of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.
Politics, network limitations or both?
But does El Al's ostracism from the major global airline allia
