It sure is a very sad day for OneWorld. LATAM has just announced that it would be leaving the alliance in due course following Delta’s massive investment of over $19 billion in the airline for a 20% stake. It is to be seen if the airline will enter the SkyTeam alliance where Delta is a founding member.
LATAM is by far the best airline in terms of product and network in the South American continent. Therefore, its departure from the alliance is a great loss and will leave a void in this region for the OneWorld alliance.
The upcoming admission of Royal Air Maroc would have meant OneWorld is present on all continents but sadly, this will no longer be the case once LATAM leaves. Previously, OneWorld had no representation in the African continent and soon, it will have no representation in South America.
