AI's Star dream ends

Air India’s dream to be a part of the 27-member Star Alliance is over, paving the way for the entry of Jet Airways in the exclusive club. Member-airlines of the world’s largest airline alliance were not able to come to a unanimous decision to allow Air India, whose application had been put on hold earlier.
Entry into the alliance would have given Air India a major boost, as it could have offered seamless travel to customers, the usage of frequent flier points redeemable with any member airline, and connectivity over 193 countries.
Air India has now decided to open talks with rival alliances Sky Team and One World, which are smaller than Star Alliance. Speaking to Business Standard on a wide range of developments in the aviation sector, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said, “To be part of the alliance, every member has to agree and that has not happened, especially after the pilots’ strike, when we lost a lot of credibility. They have practically said no and have sent us a letter last week. We have asked Air India to look for other options and alliances.”
09/08/12 Surajeet Das Gupta & Disha Kanwar/Business Standard

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Categories: Air India Aug 2012, Foreign Aug 2012