Star To Vote On Adding 3 New Members

[tadjr]

Star article


I would venture a guess that SAA would be one of the carriers to be asked. Who are the regional carriers in Europe not associated with someone already? The other choice would be hard since the three areas mentioned are China/Russia/India.

(Not really a US topic, although we are a part of Star and therefore it does have an effect on us. Not a pertinent site to post this on since it involves US and UA. Maybe Foreign carriers or leave it here.?)

 

[ITRADE]

My guesses:

South African Airways

Air China

Swiss

 

[tadjr]

The article stated Swiss was not one of the carriers being considered at this time even though they were leaving OneWorld.

It is a regional carrier in Europe that is one being considered. Who is regional that is not already associated with a major alliance?

 

[Light Years]

I've heard South African mentioned alot in regards to Star, and Air China recently started codesharing with UA.

I've also heard TAP mentioned.

 

[tadjr]

I guess what they mean by "regional" will determine the carrier. A national carrier with limited International and long haul flights or a carrier that uses props and small jets but may serve a large area. Here are some of the possibilities depending on what their definition is.
European Regional Profiles

Some of the current Star members are mentioned on this site so that may mean someone else listed here is in the running.

 

[phllax]

I was under the impression that SAA already had an invitation.

My guesses are Jet Airways of India, dba in Europe and China Southern. If they are going for another African carrier I would have to say Ethiopian.

 

[Cosmo]

Two of the three new Star carriers to be announced are almost certainly SAA and TAP. I'm not sure about the third carrier, but Jet Airways of India (as some have already mentioned) is as good a guess as any, IMHO. Jet would fill a hole in the Star network by serving dozens of cities in a country with one-sixth of the world's total population. And with Air Canada already serving YYZ-DEL nonstop and United rumored to be considering starting ORD-DEL nonstop, not to mention Jet's cooperation with Lufthansa, there is at least some logic in this potential alliance member.

 

[sand2snow]

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't they mention expansion towards Russia. Aeroflot is moving towards Skyteam, but what about Estonia Air or one of the former Soviet Republic states?

For example here is the website for Estonia Air and they cover most of the major sites not just in Russia but Europe (could this be the regional airline that they were talking about?)


http://www.estonian-air.ee/index.php?PHPSE...3312c0&keel=eng

 

[tadjr]

Estonia Air might be an option, but as far as a European Regional goes, I was thinking more along the lines of offering service to smaller cities that werent currently offered via most STAR flights. Not sure how much Estonia would add to the total STAR package since there would be limited connection opportunities and most of the traffic would be local Estonian vs added some new/smaller citites to connect to the STAR network.
Something in England/Ireland or France/Spain with local service (using smaller planes?) to connect with STAR for complete European coverage.
TAP would be a good addition to Portugal and add some African destinations as well as the islands off the African/European coasts.

Is Wideroe considered part of the Star Alliance under the SAS banner?

 

[deltawatch]

Is Virgin Atlantic a member of an alliance? Lets see oneworld members include British Airways, American Airlines, Qantas Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways. With all the talk of Usairways and Virgin maybe Virgin Atlantic is one?

 

[Light Years]

Virgin currently has some sort of a codeshare with Continental but in the past hasnt seemed keen on an alliance. However they have an on-again/off-again flirtation with buying BMI who are of course a Star member. They are like the UA-US of the UK. That combined entity would really have BA quaking in thier boots and be a great addition to the Alliance with more Heathrow flying.

Its funny, the way we gossip about airlines on here, its like they are people with all kinds of torrid affairs.

 

[AKA_trvlr64]

The Star Alliance webpage has 3 articles concerning the new additions. They are SAA, TAP and Blue1 (finnish regional).


http://www.staralliance.com./star_alliance...frame/main.html

 

[tadjr]

Well looks like the gossip was close with 2 of the 3 being mentioned. I've never heard of Blue1. :eye:

 

[N607P]

Blue1 used to be called Air Botnia and is fully-owned by SAS. Remember that SAS is starting to adopt the strategy of breaking into divisions each serving one of the Scandinavian nations, and Blue1 is the start of this strategy. Within the next few years, except SAS to no longer exist as an airline, but rather as a holding company for these smaller carriers, all of whom will be Star members.

 

[Light Years]

I'm fascinated by that whole thing with SAS. We hear all of this talk of consolidation, or at least brand consolidation, but they are doing the opposite. SAS is worldwide product, in airlines and hotels. How do you tell an overseas customer they are now booked on Blue1? Horrid.

I knew they were dividing it back into the three nations, Norway, Denmark and Sweden but I assumed they would still operate as SAS.

Austrian just rebranded itself- before we heard of Austrian, Lauda, and Tyrolean as seperate Star Alliance members, now they are rolled into one. This makes more sense globally (it would be like presenting our newest Star Alliance members- Air Midwest and Allegheny Airlines etc instead of just the US Airways). Its interesting to see that SAS is going that route.