Air New Zealand (ANZ) and Ansett Australia are to join the Star Alliance in March 1999, adding a comprehensive Australasian presence to its rapidly growing network.
ANZ already has various agreements with Star members. It has an alliance with United Airlines, a "strategic partnership" with Air Canada and frequent flier agreements with Lufthansa, SAS, Thai and Varig.
Ansett International and Ansett Australia, 50% owned by ANZ, joined the airline in signing the memorandum of intent, which gives them observer status, to allow a co-ordinated route structure to be drawn up.
ANZ says the deal will add 84 destinations to the network.
Meanwhile, Star has not yet formally confirmed that Singapore Airlines (SIA) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will become members of the alliance, despite ANA's new individual tie-ups with Star Alliance founders Lufthansa and United (Flight International, 18-24 March).
SIA signed a separate deal with Lufthansa in November 1997, which is seen as a precursor to its joining Star. The Singapore airline also has agreements with ANZ and Ansett Australia.
Source: Flight International
