The Star Alliance has set a new target of 2015 for Air India to join its ranks following a unanimous vote by member airlines to restart the process of integrating the Indian flag carrier. The alliance suspended integration in 2011 on grounds that Air India had “not met minimum joining conditions agreed in December 2007.” With signs of stability and fleet rationalization, however, Star has agreed to give Air India a second chance.
“When we stopped integration, we thought Air India needed more time for its merger and preparation for its future growth and development…We feel the time has come,” Star Alliance official Markus Ruediger told AIN. “As was said at the Star board meeting held in Vienna [on December 13], changes in Air India are pointing in the right direction.”
In the past few years, the advent of aggressive Arabian Gulf carriers and Jet Airways’ venture with the UAE’s Etihad Airways has taken a large chunk of business from European carriers.
Read News In Full 10/01/14 Neelam Mathews/AINonline
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