Air India says it is also considering joining Oneworld should a 2008 application with Star Alliance not be approved by month-end. "We cannot wait endlessly for induction into Star Alliance.
The members are scheduled to meet and vote at the end of this month. If we do not receive a positive response, we will proceed with our talks with Qatar Airways for membership in oneworld," said a senior Air India official.
Air India executives are understood to be in Germany discussing the modalities of the airline's Star Alliance application with sponsor, Lufthansa. Mired in delays, Air India's original application, submitted in May 2008, was put on hold in 2011 following a series of crippling staff strikes, a poor on-time performance record and a shrinking market share.
Should the application fall through, Air India is also exploring signing various code-share agreements with airlines globally to expand its footprint. Local rival, Jet Airways had also been considered for membership/closer cooperation but this has since fizzled out following the tentative acquisition of a 24% stake by Etihad Airways.
Source: CH-Aviation
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