Air India is now a member of the Star Alliance. Getting the membership of this alliance has not been an easy task for the carrier as it has taken it almost 8 years to overcome numerous hurdles. The benefits to be derived from this alliance is one of the reasons why Air India has been pursuing it doggedly. Notwithstanding the losses which this national carrier of India has been sustaining for all these years, the alliance has finally been achieved considering the immense value it brings to both the parties.

What Star Alliance stands to gain?

Let us first examine what made Star Alliance remain interested and never said ‘no’.

Out of the 27 members, the 13 members of the Alliance fly to India and these hold 13 percent of the Indian market. With Air India in its fold, it would be capturing the 30 percent market share of India.

At least 40 Indian and 13 new destinations would be added to the Star Alliance network.

It gives the alliance a threshold into the world’s fifth largest aviation market that has 60 million passengers.

What Air India stands to gain?

Air India also stands to gain a lot. Some of these gains are mentioned in the points below:

• Single-ticket travel for its passengers

• Seamless travel without having to check in baggage again and again

• Sharing of the frequent flyer program rewards

• Access to lounges of 27 member carriers across the globe

• Access to 18500 daily flights to 1316 destinations globally in 192 countries around the world

• Open up the Indian tourism further with greater inflow of passengers from abroad

• Improvement of infrastructure and service of the carrier is also expected.