Star Alliance hopes to bring in Indian, Russian airlines

Tokyo: The Star Alliance is hoping that it can announce deals with an Indian airline this year and a Russian carrier next year, according to the alliance's chief executive, Jaan Albrecht.
The 17-member code-sharing alliance is talking with state-run Air India and Indian private carrier Jet Airways, Albrecht told reporters here.
'I am sure that by the end of 2007 we will be able to make an announcement about a new partner, first in India, and probably next year in Russia,' he said.
The Star Alliance already is bringing on board two Chinese airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Air China.
Albrecht said that the alliance was taking longer to negotiate with partners in India and Russia because of intense competition and potential for consolidation there.
'The development of the aviation industry in Russia and India is quite amazing. We wanted to take time to study, to analyze which carrier would be successful,' he said.
'If you just take Russia, there are today about 250 carriers. We see gradual consolidation,' he said.
31/05/07 XFN-ASIA/Forbes, US

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Categories: Foreign Jun 2007, General Aviation Jun 2007