Star Alliance, a global airline alliance network, has confirmed that national carrier Air India is likely to join it as a partner airline.
Speaking to a group of Indian journalists, a Star Alliance officials said: “Yes, we are in talks with AI and our partnership is on the cards. However, AI is in the midst of merger with Indian and we want that process to be over after which it will formally join us”.
Noting that the growing and dynamic Indian market was important to Star, its director (media relations) Markus Ruediger said: “We are looking for one partner in India and we would be happy if AI joins us”.
Asked whether it would be interested in talking to the other leading airline Jet Airways, he remarked that having two partners in India was not feasible.
Star Alliance was created in 1997 to offer customers of its member airlines worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience.
It is the largest airline alliance in the world with 17 member airlines linking 855 airports in 155 countries. The alliance provides passengers 16,000 departures per day and a combined fleet of nearly 2,800 airplanes.
The 407 million passengers of the alliance represent 60 per cent of the world’s air travel, said Ruediger adding that it gives business travellers of its member airlines access to more than 650 airport lounges.
Other alliances
Besides Star, there are two other alliances in the world, One World and Skyteam. Among the Star partners are Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United Airways, US Airways, Austrian, South African Airways etc while One World has American Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, JAL etc.
According to Ruediger, Star is strong in Europe, Asia and North America while Sky has good market share in North America and North Atlantic.
Membership fee
He disclosed that Air China and Shanghai Airlines will join the alliance this year and Turkish Airlines will do so next year. There is a membership fee to join the alliance. The Star Director also revealed that the alliance has come out with a unique infrastructure – StarNet — in its bid to make seamless travel experience a reality.
“StarNet links the different airline computer systems so that they can exchange information. The development of a common IT platform – where participating carriers use the same infrastructure – is the next step in creating efficiencies for airlines and their customers”.
Two-three carriers have joined the StarNet service which is being provided by Amadeus.
Replying to a question, Ruediger said there was no plan to float an alliance for cargo airlines.