Asiana Airlines has decided after years of studies to join the Star Alliance and a formal announcement on the South Korean carrier's pending membership of the global grouping is expected early next month.
Asiana, Korea's second carrier, is in exclusive talks with Star after breaking off talks with the rival Oneworld alliance, say airline sources.
A formal agreement between Star and Asiana has yet to be signed and remains subject to the negotiation of entry terms acceptable to both sides, add sources familiar with the talks.
The sources say, however, that Star hopes to use an alliance event around the time of the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in Shanghai early in June as the stage for the announcement.
Asiana has been courted by Star for some time and its strongest supporter is Japan's All Nippon Airways, which has extensive codesharing ties with the Korean carrier.
Asiana will bring to Star a growing international network that includes an increasing number of routes to China, as well as strong ties to Chinese majors Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. All the major alliance groupings are fighting to be the first to sign a Chinese airline as a member. Asiana's home rival, Korean Air, is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, and Star and Oneworld have sought to expand their north Asian coverage. If Asiana joins Star, it will probably have to sever codeshare ties with Oneworld's American Airlines and Qantas Airways.
Source: Flight International
