News

Air India recommences Star Alliance entry process

16 Dec 2013 by GrahamSmith

Air India's integration into Star Alliance has recommenced more than two years after it was put "on hold".

The carrier's planned entry into the alliance was first announced in 2007 and had been due to complete in 2010.

However, Air India was unable to meet the minimum terms required by Star Alliance and the process was halted in 2011 (see news, August 2011).

On Friday, the alliance's chief executives decided unanimously to recommence the integration process.

Mark Schwab, Star Alliance CEO, said: "Star Alliance has long held the opinion that India is such an important aviation market that it should be fully represented in the alliance.

"However, the level of change in the domestic market in recent years did not make it easy for an airline to become an alliance member.

"The market in India is now showing signs of stabilisation. Today we see an Air India which has successfully completed its merger with Indian Airlines and is building up a new fleet that forms the basis for a much improved level of service.

"This is why we believe the time is now right to recommence the integration process."

airindia.com, staralliance.com

Graham Smith

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