Air India integration with Star Alliance by March 2009

New York: Air India hopes to integrate with Star Alliance, an interline commercial pact among 19 global carriers, by March next year in a bid to give passengers wider choice for travel, a top official of the carrier said.
Air India officials explained that among the various benefits for the carrier in integrating with the Star Alliance would be partnerships with some of the member carriers for marketing, sourcing of spares and long-term contracts for fuel.
This apart, the Flying Returns scheme of Air India would also be integrated with frequent flier programmes of member carriers, where miles earned on one carrier can be redeemed with any of the other member airlines.
The pact will also entail the sharing of airport lounges and synchronisation of flight schedules, which will permit seamless travel on a single air ticket, even if it requires flying several carriers on a single journey, they added.
Some carriers like South African Airways are examining how the connectivity between their country and India could be improved following the induction of Air India into the alliance, as the present capacity did not allow more frequencies.
13/02/08 IANS/Sify

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Categories: Air India - International Feb 2008, Foreign Feb 2008, NACIL Feb 2008, New Feb 2008