Air India Set to Fly High with Star Alliance

Air India Set to Fly High with Star Alliance

Air India is about to undergo a significant milestone this July. This carrier is set to join the biggest airline grouping in the world known as Star Alliance. Air India will be the first Indian airline to join this global chain of carriers. Immense benefits will be derived for Indian fliers following this historic step. Customers who choose to fly with Air India will now get access to privileges such as earn and burn miles as well as access to lounges throughout the world and seamless connectivity for members of the Alliance.

Almost all the conditions and requirements for joining Star Alliance have been met. The CEO of Star Alliance, Mark F Schwab has indicated that this network’s member airlines will meet in London to take part in an endorsement vote for Air India’s entry into this group. Once the endorsement has been given, Air India will officially join Star Alliance.

The Alliance had initially put the entry of this airline on hold 3 years ago because of concerns expressed by other airline carriers. Following this, Air India went through a difficult merger and emerged with a strong management team that can manage it well and resolve difficulties. Star Alliance was also keen to allow AI to join because of the predominance of Gulf carriers in the Alliance. A member from India was needed to balance the alliance. With Emirates all set to transfer the hub of Indian travelling to Dubai and Etihad to Abu Dhabi, the situation is very advantageous for India’s AI.

Air India has also completed most of the minimum joining requirements while others pertaining to information technology aspect will be completed by the middle of the month of May this year. Single ticket travel across airlines is one of the biggest benefits consumers will have if Air India is successfully inducted into Star Alliance. CEO Mark Schwab has indicated that the signs are positive regarding a favourable decision for the induction of Air India.

The time is correct for the selection of Air India. This is because Star Alliance has already conducted passenger satisfaction and safety reviews of the airline. It is all set to induct AI into its group. Star Alliance conducts around a quarter million passenger reviews each year. This year, the set of reviews conducted also included Air India. Star Alliance has also assessed the performance of this state-owned carrier on a huge number of parameters. With enhanced service and basic infrastructural improvements, Air India looks set to counter the challenges ahead of it.

Star Alliance the biggest global interline union with a total of 26 airlines as its members. The Alliance’s members undertake around a total of 18043 daily departures to 1269 airports across 193 nations in the world. Air India was first invited to join Star Alliance in the year 2007. This was because the carrier wanted to access benefits such as better standards of service, improvements in product offering, tapping new markets and partnerships with top international airline carriers across the world.

Star Alliance’s consortium comprises global carriers such as Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways and Lufthansa which are known for their exceptional service and high standards of excellence. Air India is all set to join the club. Joining Star Alliance will also improve AI’s brand value and help it to access a wider clientele, especially from international settings.

Air India is currently catering to 59 destinations within India and around 31 global routes. It has a fleet of 111 planes. Air India has a vast range of airplanes including the A-321, A-330, Boeing 737, Boeing-777, Boeing -747, Boeing-787, Airbus A-319 and A-320. The current chairman and MD of Air India is Rohit Nandan. AI seeks to complete all the requirements for entering this elite global consortium of world class international carriers. Air India is working on a customer service improvement plan and it is also aiming for an audit by the International Air Transport Association for bettering its chances of getting membership this year.

If all goes well, joining Star Alliance may well be the making of this airline carrier. With more competition on the domestic and international scene, airlines need to have privileged memberships and accolades if they hope to attract and retain loyal customers.