AI says no formal agreement with Star Alliance reached
Mumbai (PTI): Air India (AI) on Friday said it was still in discussions with Star Alliance and that no decision has yet been taken on joining it.
"No. Star Alliance is not through. We are in discussions... we can announce our alliance only after a formal agreement is reached," Air India's Chairman V Thulasidas said here.
Star Alliance is mega-club of 17 international airlines spearheaded by Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.
Air India has been in discussions with Star Alliance and a couple of others and a formal agreement was expected by December, Thulasidas said.
If the alliance agreement goes through, Air India travellers can encash their frequent flyer miles on any of the Star Alliance carriers and enjoy facilities that are available to them on Air India as well.
The country's national air-carrier would then also be able provide seamless connectivity to its passengers across the alliance's member networks.
Besides Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, other major airlines in the alliance include Air Canada, US Airways and Air New Zealand.
Star Alliance is the world's oldest airline alliance and its members fly to over 850 destinations in over 150 nations.
Thulasidas had earlier said Air India was also in discussions with other alliances such as SkyTeam and One World, but a decision on joining any alliance would be taken only by the year-end.
Business
