By Graham Dunn in London
The second invitation to join issued this month by Lufthansa and United Airlines-led airline grouping the Star Alliance to a Chinese carrier this month has been confirmed at a ceremony in Bangkok today to welcome Air China.
Star has been working to secure two partners in the country as part of a duel-hub strategy given the size of the Chinese market. Earlier this month Star formally invited Shanghai Airlines into the airline grouping and outlined its expectation that a formal invitation for Beijing-based Air China would follow shortly.
Now Star and Air China today signed a memorandum of understanding covering the formal invitation. Air China chairman Li Jiaxang says: “Currently, China is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets with great potential.
“Through co-operation with Air China, Star Alliance will connect its international route network with China through Air China’s extensive domestic network and extend its global route network. The travelling public will have access to more convenient services, savings made and efficiency improved.”
Star Alliance chief executive Jaan Albrecht says: “With Air China having chosen to join Star Alliance, we have now taken the decisive step in implementing our strategy for the Chinese market. This decision truly lays the foundation for the future pace in Chinese Aviation.”
Star Alliance, whose number swelled to 18 with South African Airways and Swiss International Air Lines entering the grouping last month, will reach 20 members once the two Chinese carriers join the alliance. Nine of its members currently operate to China.
Air China already codeshares with seven Star members: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Lufthansa, SAS, United and Varig.
Source: Airline Business
