Air India’s Star Alliance membership approved
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Air India has finally been approved to join Star Alliance, following a meeting between the alliance’s CEOs in London.
The carrier is the first based in India to join a global airline alliance and is due to join on 11 July when the final joining process is completed.
Air India was previously accepted as a future member of Star Alliance back in December 2007 but the integration process was stopped in July 2011 when the carrier’s profits dipped and it went through its merger with Indian Airlines.
The carrier has relied on government bailouts to stay flying but in the 2012-13 financial year returned to profit and has had new aircraft deliveries including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance COO said: “We restarted the re-integration with Air India in December last year and just half a year later we are ready to confirm the official joining date. We look forward to welcoming Air India passengers to our global network and offering them our alliance benefits. At the same time we are pleased to be providing our existing customers improved access to a region which includes the world’s fifth largest domestic aviation market”.
Rohit Nandan, Air India’s chairman and managing director added: “Air India worked hard to meet the exacting expectations prior to joining and today, we are elated to be inducted into the Star Alliance family. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be the first airline from India to join the alliance.”
Air India will add a total of 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the Alliance network. The biggest growth will come from its home market which is currently being served by 13 Star Alliance members flying to 10 destinations and holding a 13% market share. Bringing Air India into the equation not only adds more airports but also increases the Alliances market share in India to 30%. Globally, passengers will further benefit from a wider choice on routes connecting North America, Europe, Asia and Australia via the Indian Subcontinent. In total the Star
Alliance network will grow to 27 member airlines, offering more than 18,500 daily flights serving 1,316 destinations in 192 countries.
Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits between Air India’s Flying Returns programme and those of the existing member carries will also become effective on July 11th, 2014. This will provide customers with more options in earning and redeeming, upgrading and obtaining Star Alliance Gold status.
Customers holding Star Alliance Gold status have access to more than 1,000 lounges across the global network, can check-in at specially designated counters, have an increased baggage allowance and receive priority boarding and baggage delivery. All these benefits will also be provided by Air India.
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