Business   

Air India joins Star Alliance

CHENNAI: Ten full years after it was launched, the world’s largest airlines’ club, the Star Alliance, has finally decided to take on board an Indian airline. Air India, following its merger with Indian Airlines, was an obvious choice for the Star’s Board, which met in Beijing earlier this week. Jet Airways was another contender for the Indian slot, but considering the character of the national carrier, and its growth momentum now, the Star Alliance had no hesitation in accepting Air India’s application to become a member of it.

Announcing the decision after the Board meeting on December 13, Chairman, Star Alliance Board, Glen Tilton said: “India has long been on the radar of Star Alliance. It is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and aviation markets. Having now come to an agreement with Air India makes us the first airline alliance to secure a member in India.”

Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director Vasudevan Thulasidas, said “Air India is delighted for having been invited to join Star Alliance. This invitation comes after Air India’s merger with India’s leading domestic carrier, Indian Airlines, thus making us the largest aviation player in the Indian sub-continent. Having got selected as a future Star Alliance member, Air India will add value to passengers patronising member airlines of the alliance.” An airline release said specialised teams at Air India, Star Alliance and its member carrier will now start working together on the integration process, which once completed, will make Air India a part of the Star Alliance, currently consisting of 19 members. Besides Air India, EgyptAir and Turkish Airlines have been accepted as future members of the alliance at the Beijing meeting.

In Asia, Singapore Airlines, Thai, Air China and Shanghai Airlines are the other alliance member airlines till now. It covers all continents from the Americas to Newzealand, with the member carriers network offering over 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160 countries.

Air India sources said that in addition to the networking with the other airlines, its passengers will be able to avail of the same benefits in all those airlines, including mileage points and lounge facilities in airports across the world.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Chidambaram for fulfilling unfinished agenda to sustain high growth
Air India joins Star Alliance
Q3 PC shipments up 20 p.c.
Flamingo Pharma enters South
Ire-Tex to set up foam unit

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu