Star Alliance hopes to bring in Indian, Russian airlines |
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Thu, 31 May 2007 09:55
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TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Star Alliance is hoping that it can announce deals with an Indian airline this year and a Russian carrier next year, according to the alliance's chief executive, Jaan Albrecht.The 17-member code-sharing alliance is talking with state-run Air India and Indian private carrier Jet Airways, Albrecht told reporters here.'I am sure that by the end of 2007 we will be able to make an announcement about a new partner, first in India, and probably next year in Russia,' he said.The Star Alliance already is bringing on board two Chinese airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Air China.Albrecht said that the alliance was taking longer to negotiate with partners in India and Russia because of intense competition and potential for consolidation there.'The development of the aviation industry in Russia and India is quite amazing. We wanted to take time to study, to analyze which carrier would be successful,' he said.'If you just take Russia, there are today about 250 carriers. We see gradual consolidation,' he said.Albrecht said the Star Alliance, which now focusses on passengers, was studying expanding to include cargo -- a proposal supported in particular by All Nippon Airways.'Our focus is on passengers, but cargo has been coming on our agenda since last year and we are exploring the possibilities,' he said.'Cargo is a totally different environment, totally different market. We are very careful. But it would be the same logic, the same drivers, the same pillars for a successful cargo alliance.'
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