OREANDA-NEWS. June 07, 2011. The representatives of Star Alliance and Air India would meet the Govt. of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation officials to apprise them on the progress made by Air India to join Star Alliance network. The meeting is also expected to finalize the date of Air India’s formal entry into Star Alliance.

 Disclosing this today, an Air India spokesperson said “In a meeting of the Star Alliance’s Chief Executives Board at Barcelona on June 3, 2011, the Start Alliance GmbH apprised the readiness of Air India to join Star Alliance within July 31, 2011”. The Air India CMD Mr Arvind Jadhav, who attended the meeting, said: “Air India is looking forward to join Star Alliance, as scheduled”.

 Star Alliance, formed in 1997, is a consortium of 27 member airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Swiss amongst other major airlines of the world. It has a fleet of more than 4000 aircraft at present serving 181 countries.

 Star Alliance has certain minimum joining requirements, which involve development / testing systems and procedures to harmonize the product with other members. The process of integration of Air India into Star Alliance is progressing well to meet all joining requirements and Air India is looking forward to become a member of the alliance within the targeted time frame.

 Air India operates to 63 domestic destinations and has a network of 33 international destinations with a fleet size of 127 which includes Airbus A319, 320, 321,310, 330, Boeing B-737-800 B-777, and 747 apart from ATR-42 and CRJ aircraft.