Addition Expands Star Alliance Throughout The East
The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance today
unanimously approved the application of US Airways to join the
world's largest airline alliance. The addition of US Airways
significantly expands Star Alliance's network in the business hubs
of the eastern United States and in the Caribbean.
"US Airways offers Star Alliance business and leisure passengers
significant advantages," said Jaan Albrecht, chief executive
officer, Star Alliance. "For business travelers, the addition of US
Airways means unparalleled access to the most extensive airline
network in the eastern United States; for leisure travelers, the
expanded network also means more destinations in the Caribbean and
Florida from which to choose."
USAirways, one of the first major carriers to seek federal
bankruptcy protection after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks
on New York and Washington, emerged from Chapter 11 last month,
looking to gut airport leases, revamp its fleet and operate with
fewer employees.
The addition of US Airways will increase the number of airports
served by the Star Alliance network from 700 to 771, while the
number of countries served will grow to 133 from 128.
Win-Win?
"Expanding the reach of our network through Star
Alliance will create enormous benefits both for our customers and
our business," said David N. Siegel, US Airways president and chief
executive officer. "To Star Alliance's members and customers, US
Airways brings value with our strong presence in the eastern United
States, where 70 percent of all travel to Europe originates, as
well as our growing presence in the Caribbean. Star Alliance
customers entering the US through our premier international gateway
in Philadelphia will experience the nation's most modern
international terminal, which just opened this month."
While no firm date has been set for US Airways' official entry
into Star Alliance, it is anticipated that the carrier will become
part of the world's leading airline alliance within the next nine
to 12 months.
US Airways has been working with Star Alliance member airlines
since it signed a code-sharing agreement with United Airlines in
2002 and recently signed a similar memorandum of understanding on
code-sharing with Lufthansa German Airlines.
Welcome To The Club
Glenn Tilton (right), chairman, president and
chief executive officer of United Airlines, which sponsored US
Airways' application, warmly welcomed US Airways into Star
Alliance. "The United States is the largest single air travel
market in the world, and the addition of US Airways provides a
complementary service to our passengers," Tilton said. "Clearly
anything that we can do to serve the growing needs of Star Alliance
passengers in this country and around the world will benefit each
of our member airlines."
Star Alliance was established in May 1997 as the first truly
global airline alliance. Member airlines are Air Canada, Air New
Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, bmi, Lauda Air,
Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Scandinavian
Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International,
Tyrolean Airways, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. LOT
Polish Airlines will become a member in October 2003.
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