Star Alliance is working on a project that could see it offer affiliate membership to carriers in some key markets, aimed at enhancing its network reach.
“We continue to explore this idea that are there smaller regional carriers that we could plug into the ends of our network without having them become full members of Star Alliance,” chief executive Mark Schwab told Flightglobal at the IATA AGM in Miami.
While those airlines involved would be required to have IATA operational safety audit (IOSA) registration and undergo a Star safety audit, but would not be required to offer the full range of the alliance’s services.
Schwab says that markets such as Australia, parts of South America and Africa are the major geographies where such a model could help to plug gaps not covered by its present roster of 28 carriers.
That second-tier could be opened to low-cost and regional carriers, as well as those affiliated to its members.
“Many of the full service carriers are moving a lot of their regional services onto different platforms, and connecting those platforms, where it makes sense, is another opportunity,” Schwab adds.
Rival alliance Oneworld offers affiliate membership to carriers linked to its major members, such as Iberia Express and Cathay Pacific’s Dragonair unit. More recently, Bangkok Airways’ flights have been added to its round-the-world fare offering.
Schwab adds that the alliance has most of the world covered now, and so is unlikely to continue the pattern of adding up to two new full members each year.
Avianca Brazil is set to become the 28th member in July, while the alliance also remains in “active discussions” with another Brazilian carrier, widely thought to be Azul.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
