Global alliances oneworld and Star Alliance have both been busy further expanding their membership with plans unveiled for the addition of Russian carrier S7 Airlines and Greek operator Aegean Airlines respectively.
Moscow-based S7 Airlines, sponsored by British Airways, will next month begin an 18-month alignment process ahead of becoming a full member of oneworld in 2010. For more on this story click here. Oneworld currently comprises ten carriers, while Mexicana is due to join the alliance in October.
Meanwhile Greek carrier Aegean, which already has a close relationship with Star Alliance members such as Lufthansa, has had its application to join the alliance formally accepted by Star members. For more details click here. Star currently has 21 full members and three associate members. Alongside Aegean, four other carriers - Air India, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines and TAM - are in the process of becoming full Star Alliance members.
In April, the other major global airline alliance, SkyTeam, entered formal discussions with Vietnam Airlines with a view to the latter's entry into the alliance next year. SkyTeam currently has ten full members and three associate members.
Source: Airline Business
