The Star Alliance network and Air India have decided to suspend the carrier's integration with the global airline alliance as India has not met the minimum membership conditions.
Star Alliance and Air India agreed on the minimum joining conditions in December 2007, Star Alliance said.
The review of Air India's application to join Star Alliance was conducted between the Indian Ministry for Civil Aviation, Star Alliance's CEO Jaan Albrecht and Air India's chairman and managing director, Arvind Jadhav.
During the review, all three parties agreed that Air India's integration into the alliance will be suspended.
"With the collective decision to put the integration efforts on hold today, we aim to contribute to Air India's flexibility to concentrate on its ongoing strategic reorientation. In this process, our member carriers will continue to provide assistance to Air India wherever required," Albrecht said.
"Existing bilateral relationships with Star Alliance member airlines will not be affected by this decision, which also leaves room to discuss a potential Alliance membership at a future stage, if deemed appropriate by both parties," Star Alliance said.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
