It's expected that Shanghai Airlines will become a member of the
Star Alliance in 2007 and be the first Chinese carrier to join the
world's largest affiliation of airlines.
Jaan Albrecht, chief executive of the Star Alliance, said in
Shanghai that the Airline required to make some improvements to
meet the operational standards required by the Alliance before it
could join.
The Alliance and Shanghai Airlines have signed a memorandum of
cooperation under which the Alliance will assist the carrier make
improvements and adjustments in the fields of sharing information
with other member carriers, ticketing systems, safety, legal
affairs and training.
Shanghai Airlines applied for membership in November 2004 and
became an observer of the 18-member Alliance last November.
The Star Alliance was founded in 1997 by Thai Airways, Lufthansa
of Germany, Air Canada, Scandinavian Airlines and United Airlines
of the United States.
It has expanded to include Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways
of Japan, Asiana of the Republic of Korea, Austrian Airlines,
Singapore Airlines with Swiss International Airlines and South
African Airways joining last month. Another carrier, Air China, has
been in talks to join the Alliance, Albrecht said.
The Star Alliance operates more than 15,500 flights daily to 842
destinations in 152 countries.
Zhou Chi, chairman of Shanghai Airlines, said the airline had a
strategy of exploring the international market. "Joining the Star
Alliance is expected to improve the competitiveness of Shanghai
Airlines on the world market," he said.
Shanghai Airlines operates a dozen international routes to
Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Vietnam and other
countries.
As a member of the Alliance the airline would be able to offer
customers the opportunity to combine frequent flyer programs with
other carriers, share airport lounges, access convenient transfers
and a number of other services.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2006)