The US Department of Transportation has granted final approval for Aer Lingus to join the Oneworld transatlantic joint venture alongside American Airlines and Aer Lingus' fellow International Airlines Group carriers British Airways, Iberia and Finnair.
The approval enables Aer Lingus to participate with the joint venture carriers in sales, network planning and pricing. They also plan to add new routes and increase service on existing routes as part of the joint venture, according to the DOT.
IAG acquired Aer Lingus in 2015; however, Aer Lingus is currently not a member of the Oneworld alliance, having left the alliance in 2007.
Qantas and Japan Airlines have this week announced plans to set up a joint venture between Australia, New Zealand and Japan.