After a seven-year wait, Air India has been inducted into global airlines group Star Alliance giving fliers seamless access to over 1,300 destinations and with a hope that the national career benefits with an increase of 2-3 per cent in its revenue.
The Star Alliance also is open to induct more Indian airlines, including low cost carriers. After its application in 2007 to enter into the elite club, Air India got the endorsement vote of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB) at a meeting in London on Monday. “We are happy to note that Air India has become part of the Star Alliance. This is one of the biggest alliances in the world,” said Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
While he said Air India’s revenues might increase by 4-5 per cent by joining the Alliance, aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation pegged the revenue increase at 2-3 per cent once the integration is complete with all the Star members. Air India becomes the first Indian carrier to join a global alliance, the largest one now having 27 member airlines in its fold.
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