Another extension for Air India?

Neelam Mathews
July 30, 2011

The speculation whether Star Alliance might reject Air India will come to rest on July 31 when the executive board of the alliance meets.

Aerospace Diary learns that Air India may be given a final extension to get its act in order to join the alliance.

The decision if made in the carrier’s favor, will hardly be surprising since the national carrier holds government ropes to foreign carriers' additional flights to India.

Air India has also paid a hefty initial joining fee to Star. 

Air India has delayed entry into Star by around three years already. While the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines that required a common code was an issue, constant announcements of joining dates followed by delays has not helped in retrieving the carrier’s image.

While there is no doubt that the final joining ceremony will be an extravagant fanfare, the loss suffered by Star partners may not be easily forgotten.

The record of Egypt Air joining the alliance in a record time of 9 months stands to shine and like Air India’s delay, both stories will be embedded in the history of Star.