Air India joins Star Alliance

Air-India-Star-AllianceNew Delhi, June 24 : Air India on Tuesday joined the Star Alliance, which might help the airline to increase its revenue by 4-5 percent.

Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, while announcing Air India's inclusion into Star Alliance, said that Air India will get benefit out of this association as a wider reach and access to existing facilities for the members of the world's biggest grouping of airlines would now be available to the passengers of Air India also.

Civil Aviation Secretary, Ashok Lavasa, Air India CMD, Rohit Nandan, and Star Alliance COO Jeffrey Goh were also present at the occasion..

Air India's entry into the Star Alliance reflects the buoyancy in the aviation sector resulting from some of the recent initiatives taken by the Government.

Star Alliance is the biggest congregation of 26 leading airlines offering worldwide reach and smoother travel experience.  The Star Alliance network offers 21,900 daily flights to 1328 airports in 195 countries.

Today about 13 Star Member Airlines operate to 10 destinations in India and account for a total share of 13 per cent of India's to and fro market.  The inclusion of Air India in Star would take Star Alliance to a stronger position with a share of about 30 per cent.

As a Star Alliance member, Air India will now offer its passengers seamless travel experience across the Alliance network around the world, besides premium customer recognition and benefits across member airlines.

In addition to enjoying seamless transfers while travelling across the world, Air India passengers can earn and burn more frequent flyer mileage points, code sharing leading to a wider choice of flights and an access to over 1000 lounges.

Air India's entry into the Star Alliance would facilitate its access to a vast global network, offering unmatched reach and connectivity.  This is expected to be a game changer for Air India and aviation in India in terms of adoption of global best practices, branding and global visibility.

The vast Star Alliance network will enhance Air India's overseas operations linking it to its extensive domestic network.  This will help Air India to provide better connectivity, smooth and on-time service to its passengers. ---- (ANI)