Unveiling the agreement in Melbourne on 20 June, the partners outlined plans for close commercial ties, including codesharing and joint marketing for "seamless travel"around their networks.
SIAis also understood, however, to be keen to cement the deal by taking an equity stake in ANZand Ansett, of which the New Zealand carrier is joint owner. SIAchief executive Dr Cheong Choong Kong declines to be speciÌc on any such deal, saying only that "-it will come when it will come".
There are also options for linking the Asia-PaciÌc pact into the global Star alliance. ANZ signed an agreement with United late in 1996, and has dropped its six-year-old partnership with Canadian Airlines(allied with American Airlines and British Airways) in favour of Star member Air Canada. Ansett also has a deal with United.
SIA's position is more problematic, given its longstanding links with the Swissair/Delta Air Lines grouping and potential conßicts with Thai Airways International within the Star alliance.
Lufthansa has made clear, however, that talks taking place are designed to secure "at least one"additional partner in Asia-PaciÌc. Although Lufthansa declines to make any ofÌcial comment on the target of these discussions, Singapore's strengthening position as a gateway to Australasia would help mount an effective challenge to the rival BA/Qantas alliance.
Sources in Lufthansa say that, while the airline is "-satisÌed with the way we work with Thai, this doesn't prevent us from talking to an additional partner". Any deal is likely to start as a bilateral relationship with Lufthansa, as have other agreements, before moving into the Star alliance proper.
Regulatory approval for the SIA/ANZ/Ansett alliance is expected by September, and plans to start in November with SIAoperating codesharing services to Auckland and ANZßying to Singapore from Christchurch.
BAand Qantas, meanwhile, announced on 19 June a set of codesharing operations giving BAgreater access to the Australian market, while allowing Qantas to connect with UK and European capitals from London Heathrow.o
See News Analysis, P27.
Source: Flight International
