Air India has joined Star Alliance and will officially become a member on July 11, it was announced today.
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). The induction process finally recommenced at the end of last year (see news, December 2013).
Yesterday, Star Alliance executives met with Air India officials in London and agreed that the airline will become its 27th member.
Rohit Nandan, Air India's chairman and managing director, said: "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. We eagerly look forward to extending the benefits and privileges of Star Alliance to passengers from July 11."
Last week, Air India announced it will introduce the B787 Dreamliner onto its daily Mumbai–Chennai–Singapore service from October 25 (see news, June 19).
airindia.com, staralliance.com
Graham Smith
