World’s largest airline grouping Star Alliance, on Friday, unanimously decided to recommence Air India’s integration into the grouping, setting the stage for revocation of suspension of the national carrier in 2011.
“Today we see an Air India which has successfully completed its merger with Indian Airlines, and is building up a new fleet that forms the basis for a much improved level of service. This is why we believe the time is now right to recommence the integration process,” Mark Schwab, Star Alliance CEO, said after a board meeting of the 28-member grouping in Vienna. Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rohit Nandan, who is also in Austria, said it was a historic day for the airline. The decision to recommence the Star Alliance integration process would be beneficial for both sides. Once the airline becomes a member, its passengers would enjoy major benefits, including seamless transfers on travel across the world, more frequent-flyer mileage points, code-sharing leading to a wider choice of flights and access to over 1,000 lounges at airports worldwide.
The Star Alliance network offers 21,900 daily flights.
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