Page 22 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE AIR INDIA

Air India Joins Star Alliance

The national carrier’s revenue may go up by 4%-5% By Subodh Agarwal

india’s naTional carrier air india Jeffrey Goh, COO of the Star Alliance available to the passengers of Air India
became the first local airline admitted to added: “We restarted the re-integration also.
a global airline alliance after it officially with Air India in December last year and Air India’s entry into the Star Alliance
joined the Star Alliance on July 11. just half a year later we are ready to reflects the buoyancy in the aviation
The decision to admit Air India into confirm the official joining date. We look sector resulting from some of the recent
the Star Alliance came by unanimous forward to welcoming Air India passengers initiatives taken by the Indian government.
concensus of the CEOs of existing member to our global network and offering them As a Star Alliance member, Air India
airlines during its chief executive board our Alliance benefits. At the same time we will now offer its passengers seamless
(CEB) meeting held in London June 23. are pleased to be providing our existing travel experience across the Alliance
“Air India will add a total of 400 daily customers improved access to a region network around the world, besides a
flights and 35 new destinations in India to which includes the world’s fifth largest premium customer recognition and
the Star Alliance network,” Star Alliance domestic aviation market.” benefits across member airlines. In
said. The Star Alliance indicates that addition to enjoying seamless transfers
“Bringing Air India into the equation reciprocal frequent flyer benefits between while travelling across the world, Air
not only adds more airports but also Air India’s Flying Returns program and India passengers can earn and burn
increases the Alliances market share those of the existing member carriers will more frequent flyer mileage points, code
in India to 30%. Globally, passengers also become effective from July 11, giving sharing leading to a wider choice of flights
will further benefit from a wider choice customers more options to earn and and an access to over 1000 lounges.
on routes connecting North America, redeem, upgrade and obtain Star Alliance Air India’s entry into the Star Alliance
Europe, Asia and Australia via the Gold status. would facilitate its access to a vast global
Indian Subcontinent. In total the Star Meanwhile, Air India said it expected network, offering unmatched reach and
Alliance network will grow to 27 member its revenue to go up by 4%-5% by joining connectivity. This is expected to be a
airlines, offering more than 18,500 daily the Star Alliance. game changer for Air India and aviation in
flights serving 1,316 destinations in 192 The new Minister for Civil Aviation, India in terms of adoption of global best
countries,” it added. Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, while practices, branding and global visibility.
Rohit Nandan, Air India chairman and announcing the inclusion of Air India into The vast Star Alliance network will
managing director, said about joining the the Star Alliance club said that Air India enhance Air India’s overseas operations
Alliance: “Air India worked hard to meet will get benefit out of this association linking it to its extensive domestic
the exacting expectations prior to joining as a wider reach and access to existing network. This will help Air India to provide
and today, we are elated to be inducted facilities for the members of the world’s better connectivity, smooth and on-time
into the Star Alliance family.” biggest grouping of airlines would now be service to its passengers.
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