Star Alliance Wants Strong Partnership Between Air India and Lufthansa

India is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world. The mainline carrier of TATA Group, Air India is one of the 26 members of Star Alliance. This alliance formed in 1997 has the largest global airline network. CEO of Star Alliance wants a stronger partnership between Air India and Lufthansa as it aims to provide customers with more options and flexibility. Lufthansa was the founding member of Star Alliance. Air India joined in July 2014.

Star Alliance CEO Wants Stronger Air India-Lufthansa Partnership

On the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting 2024, the CEO of Star Alliance, Theo Panagiotoulias discussed various aspects of Indian aviation. He said that the market is large and growing rapidly. A deeper partnership between Air India and Lufthansa is beneficial for the alliance’s efforts to provide passengers with enhanced passenger experience. Expressing his optimism for the Indian market, he said that there are loads of opportunities in the region.

Star Alliance wants to provide more options to its passengers. For a market like India, this is going to be a crucial aspect. Theo added that alongside codeshare agreements, a deeper partnership between alliance members is a step in a better direction.

The Chief Executive Officers of Air India and Lufthansa, Campbell Wilson, and Carsten Spohr held a meeting during the IATA 80th AGM. However, both of them refrained from disclosing any details about the discussion. When asked whether the partnership between both airlines will enhance in the near future, Lufthansa’s CEO responded positively.

A management company based in Frankfurt and Singapore oversees the projects and activities of Star Alliance. These activities include co-location, digital infrastructure, frequent flyer integration, and sharing of lounges. The ultimate aim is to elevate the travel experience of customers of all 26 alliance members.

Deeper Partnership Between Air India and Lufthansa

This Wilson-Spohr meetup comes just a month after both members of Star Alliance expanded their codeshare agreement to include the Australian region in their network. As part of the revised agreement, Lufthansa will use the Australian network of Air India to book passengers. The airline will place its location code- LH on Air India flights to Australia.

Let me simplify it for you. Lufthansa does not operate non-stop flights to Australia. Hence, it has partnered with Air India. Suppose a passenger wants to travel from Munich to Sydney, Lufthansa will offer him seamless connectivity via Delhi Airport. From Munich to Delhi, he will fly with Lufthansa. At Delhi Airport, he will seamlessly transit to an Air India flight to Sydney.

Air India has a long-standing partnership with Lufthansa. From Frankfurt Airport, the German carrier connects Air India passengers to 26 destinations in Europe and South America.

Air India is gradually increasing its network by signing codeshare agreements with different airlines. It recently signed a codeshare partnership with All Nippon Airways, another member of Star Alliance. It has lost a codeshare partner in the form of Japan Airlines. JAL was a codeshare partner of Vistara, but as the airline will be merged with Air India, there will be a conflict of alliances. JAL is a oneWorld member, while Air India is a Star Alliance member.

Conclusion

Star Alliance wants a deeper partnership between Air India and Lufthansa. CEO of both airlines, Campbell Wilson and Carsten Spohr had a lengthy meeting at the recent IATA Annual General Meeting 2024. Both members of Star Alliance are already strong partners, with a deep codeshare agreement.

What do you think about the comments of the Star Alliance CEO? Discuss in the comment section.