Alliances Fight For New Members, Grow In Asia/Pacific

摘要

The three global airline alliances — Star Alliance, SkyTeam and oneworld — are courting more partners as consolidation looms and aviation growth in China, India and the Persian Gulf regions drives demand for global coverage. The latest interest in an alliance comes from Air Union of Russia. The airline is a strategic partner of Austrian and Lufthansa, both Star Alliance carriers. Austrian said it will mentor the carrier to support its inclusion, and last Friday the heads of all three airlines signed an MOU to that effect. Lufthansa will support the endeavor. Air Union is itself an alliance of five Russian airlines — Kras Air, Omskavia, Samara Airlines, Domodedovo Airlines and Sibaviatrans — using Moscow's Domodedovo Airport as a main hub.