July 11 Marked Air India's Formal Induction To Star Alliance

Sunday, 6th July 2014 at 03:03am

There's nothing more important for Air India that this date: July 11�"a very important chapter in its entire history as it gets formally admitted to the elite group of global airlines, the Star Alliance.

The world aviation community watched the airline's ascension to the world's largest and first airline alliance ever created. The 26 CEOs of the 26 existing members, including the CEO of the alliance itself, descended to the Indian capital to welcome the state flag carrier into the club.

During this occasion, Air India unveiled its B787 Dreamliner and A320 jets sporting the Star Alliance logo and livery, marking its official entry to the group. Both aircraft also sported the iconic Maharaja logo with B787 cruising the international airspace, while the A320 plying the domestic network.

The airline officials are expecting unprecedented growth and wider market vis-a-vis seamless connectivity for its customers with its membership with Star Alliance. The 26 other members, in turn, will also get access to India's domestic market, considered as the world's third largest.

Starting July 11 onwards, passengers will begin to enjoy a wide range of benefits accorded to the alliance customers, starting off with the access to almost 22,000 flights daily, to as many as 1,320 airport destinations across 195 countries all over the world.

The addition of Air India to the group will add as many as 400 daily flights and more destinations. The airline's current route network includes 35 international and 62 domestic destinations.

Currently, 13 of the Star Alliance existing member fly to 10 cities across India, cornering a mere 13% of the international traffic. It is expected to grow to as much as 30% with Air India's entry into the alliance.

One significant benefit the airline will get from its membership with the alliance is lower fuel costs, as the alliance has its stock of jet fuel for all its members which would certainly alleviate Air India's misery over its fuel needs.

As Air India starts to fly as Star Alliance member, passengers will be treated to a whole new experience starting off with a new protocol in place governing the check-in and boarding process for all member airlines. Additionally, with the new innovative in-flight meal menu system, the customers can get a preview and even get a taste of the food prior to ordering. The new in-flight menu system will be initially available in five major destinations like Mumbai and Delhi, as well as Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.

By: Pete Lee.