AI, Star alliance meet to iron out issues

New Delhi: Air India’s stalled plan to get into the Star Alliance of airlines worldwide may be revived. “Both we and Star have decided to meet and discuss of our suspension, even when we had fulfilled all the 87 criteria required to join the alliance,” said a senior AI official, who did not want to be identified. No decision has been taken on the date but it will be soon.
Star Alliance had announced last week, after a board meeting, that it was “suspending” the government carrier’s integration into its network. It said AI had not fulfilled the criteria it had agreed to.
Star, in an email reply to Business Standard, had also said the membership issue could be revived. “If both parties agree to resume the membership process at a future point in time, it can be done,” the reply said.
Entering the alliance was an important component of AI’s turnaround plan, as that would have ensured fixed revenue for the airline. Formed in 1997, Star is a consortium of 27 airlines, including Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Swiss.
08/08/11 Mihir Mishra/Business Standard

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Categories: Air India Aug 2011, Foreign Aug 2011