Star Alliances embraces low-cost airlines

CHICAGO Star Alliance is set to expand its network to embrace low-cost airlines in 2016, according to a press statement issued at the alliance’s board meeting here in Chicago.

It will involve establishing a new associated airline category identified as “Connecting Partners”.

Under this new concept, routes operated by “low-cost” and “hybrid” airlines will be able to connect to the Alliance network.

This will allow customers of Star Alliance airlines to select from an even wider choice of destinations and flights.

“We are breaking new ground. We see a definite trend of convergence between the ‘traditional full-service’ and ‘low-cost’ business models in the airline industry,” said, Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab. “At the same time, our customers are telling us that they need access to markets where we do not yet provide ideal cover. In many cases network carriers are not in a position to fill this gap and hence working with future Connecting Partners will allow us to provide an extended network to our travellers.”

Connecting Partners will be assessed for their fit into the existing Star Alliance network. While these selected airlines need to comply and adhere to the high operating standard required by the Alliance, they will not become a member of the Alliance itself.

Customers travelling on an itinerary, which includes a transfer between a Star Alliance member airline and a Connecting Partner will be offered Alliance benefits such as passenger and baggage through check-in.

Connecting Partners can enter into bilateral commercial agreements with selected Star Alliance member airlines, which may include additional Frequent Flyer Programme based privileges.

South African low-cost airline Mango has been selected as the first airline with which Star Alliance will be implementing the new concept.

“We aim to have first customers using this new offer as of the third quarter of 2016,” added Schwab.

Mango started services in 2006. Since then, the airline has grown from four to 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating between South Africa’s key domestic points as well as between Johannesburg and Zanzibar.