Air India finally joins Star Alliance
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Air India has been officially inaugurated into the Star Alliance after a three-year wait.
The national carrier becomes the first Indian airline to join a global alliance, and its addition expands Star’s total membership to 27 airlines.
The move to admit Air India follows a long delay. Its first application was first lodged in 2011, but was put on hold due to internal problems. But it now becomes a major new addition to the Star portfolio, adding a total of 400 daily flights and more than 40 new destinations in India to the alliance’s network. As a result of the addition of Air India, Star’s market share in India has risen to 30%.
Globally, the 27-airline Star Alliance network now offers more than 18,500 daily flights serving 1,316 destinations in 192 countries.
“This is an important day for us. We have said for many years that we needed a strong home carrier in the Indian market and by welcoming Air India to our Star Alliance family, we have achieved this goal” said Star Alliance’s chief executive, Mark Schwab.
“We know that the ‘new’ Air India is looking forward to providing the Star Alliance customer benefits to many more travellers.”
Air India will now offer its passengers through check-in to the final destination for all connecting flights operated by any Star Alliance member airline, for both passengers and baggage. Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits will also be offered for Air India’s Flying Returns members, and elite status members also now have access to more than 1,000 lounges across the world.
“Air India is proud to be a member of this prestigious airline Alliance. From today, we open up a completely different world for our passengers, who can now travel to over 1,300 destinations right across the network,” said Rohit Nandan, Air India’s chairman & managing director.
Air India becomes the ninth Star Alliance member in the Asia Pacific region, following Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.
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