New Delhi: National carrier Air India seems all set to join global airline grouping Star Alliance. The CEOs of the 26 member-carriers of Star Alliance were meeting in London on Monday where an endorsement vote is being taken on Air India’s entry into the alliance. On Monday evening, sources said the meeting was still on in London.
Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju is expected to formally announce the entry of Air India into the Star Alliance at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. The exact entry date is expected to be in July.
Sources said entry into the alliance will benefit Air India’s passengers in terms of seamless connectivity and access to more lounges at airports world-wide. After entry into the Star Alliance, Air India is expected to co-ordinate with member-carriers especially on tightening the arrival and departure timings of flights.
Till May 1 this year, Air India had completed 45 out of 64 joining requirements while the rest were expected to be completed soon. The developments come three years after the Star Alliance had decided to “suspend” the entry of Air India into the alliance.
However, in December, 2013, Star Alliance had “unanimously decided to lift the earlier suspension of the process for Air India entry into the Alliance”. Sources said “stabilisation” in Air India’s fortunes after the massive financial bailout initiated by the previous UPA-2 government had contributed to Star Alliance’s willingness to allow entry to Air India.
“Once the airline becomes a member, Air India passengers will enjoy enormous benefits, including seamless transfers while travelling across the world and access to facilities. The Star Alliance network offers 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries,” AI had said earlier.
