Andrzej Jeziorski/SINGAPORE
Lufthansa is in talks with three airlines in a bid to extend the Star Alliance into mainland China, according to Jürgen Weber, chairman and chief executive of the German airline.
Early talks on a potential Chinese partnership are under way with Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, says Weber.
"It will take some time, but, in due course, a Chinese partner will be joining the Star Alliance," he says. On a cautious note, the chairman adds: "I feel it's still too early to enter into a full alliance agreement with one of the Chinese airlines, because first the market has to be developed and liberalised."
Lufthansa already co-operates with Air China through Lufthansa Technik's AMECO maintenance joint venture in Beijing, as well as having partnerships in catering, information technology and pilot training. Weber says that he does not believe that Northwest Airlines' codeshare agreement with Air China, signed earlier this year, will be any hindrance to future Star Alliance membership. "We know from our discussions with Air China that they are completely open to joining the Star Alliance later," says Weber.
China Southern has now signed an agreement to co-ordinate flight schedules with Star partner United Airlines, which could later develop into a codesharing partnership. At the same time, China Southern is expected to sign a codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines in Guangzhou on 16 December, and China Eastern is in partnership with American Airlines.
Weber also confirms that Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be the third Asian partner in the grouping, alongside founding member Thai Airways International, and All Nippon Airways (ANA),which will become a full member from October next year.
The Lufthansa boss maintains that Star Alliance membership - which now includes Air Canada, Air New Zealand (ANZ), Ansett Australia, SAS and Varig, as well as Lufthansa, United, Thai and, next year, ANA - will not expand beyond 10 carriers. He says, however, that the partners see Ansett and its 50% shareholder ANZ as a single partner, allowing room for one more Star member after SIA.
SIAis already in bilateral partnerships with Ansett, ANZ, Lufthansa and SAS. According to Weber, it is also in discussions with United and Varig. Industry sources suggest, however, that a codeshare pact with United will be announced imminently.
Weber dismisses suggestions that Thai's position in the Star Alliance is looking increasingly shaky. "Thai has good business results from the Star Alliance, so I could not imagine why it would move out," says Weber.
UK low fare airline Debonair has signed a letter of intent to operate five of its British Aerospace 146s on behalf of Lufthansa CityLine from Munich, beginning next March.
Source: Flight International
