Star Alliance News

[Kurt A]

Star in one roof push in Sydney

Star Alliance has revealed it wants its member carriers to move under one roof at Sydney airport after having success with the project overseas.
Preliminary talks have taken place with member carriers in Australia, but Star Alliance vice president commercial Christopher Korenke said no formal approach had yet been made to the airport.

Alliance members are moving into one terminal at London Heathrow, with the move slated to be finished by 2012. It has already had success with the move at Tokyo's Narita airport, with passengers experiencing shorter connection times and streamlined check-in, the alliance said. Korenke told a briefing in Sydney it would like to see all member under one roof in Sydney.

“It’s not yet a Star initiative here, but everywhere we can get an opportunity to move under one roof and create synergies, we’ll do so,” Korenke said.

“Historically carriers have been spread over all the terminals. We want to move forward under one roof.” Singapore Airlines manager, passenger marketing Australia, Dale Woodhouse, said the move will not occur until airline bosses get behind the move.

“We need the bigger bosses to be told what the virtues and benefits of such a move are,” Woodhouse said.

Newly appointed Star Alliance VP Commercial "Christopher Korenke" visits Australia

Star Alliance hosted an exquisite lunch at the Bilsons Restaurant Sydney on Tuesday for committee members and journalists to welcome newly appointed Christopher Korenke to the team.

The future of Star Alliance was a hot topic at lunch, as Mr Korenke was accompanied by Director of Media Relations Markus Ruediger and Regional Director of Sales and Market Development for Asia Pacific, Olav Glorvigen. Mr Korenke announced that Air India will be integrated by next summer and they are also looking at adding other carriers from emerging markets like Brazil.

With the addition of Air China and Shanghai Airlines to the Star network, Star Alliance now offers the international traveler over 40 new destinations within China.

The expansion of Star Alliance continues, as the network will soon provide access to the Gulf. Egypt Air will follow the recent membership of Turkish Airlines by becoming an official member of Star Alliance on the 11th June, 2008.

Continuing their marketing strategy of brand awareness, Star Alliance intend to position the brand to international travelers by providing unbeatable services at airports, through Frequent Flyer programs and member recognition.

One of the many goals of Star Alliance in the future includes passengers moving under one roof when transferring to another Star carrier. Star Alliance are integrating many services such as lost or delayed bags in Heathrow, where one company is now responsible in getting the luggage to the passenger. This operates now 3-4 times a day instead of having each airline handle this individually.

Procurement process is in place to have joint lounges in Heathrow and Paris which will be opening later in the year.

Mr Korenke addressed the lunch, stating “We are here today because Australia is one of the important markets in the Star Alliance network. The economy is doing well and the World comes to Australia.

He continued, “It is a great opportunity for us to see how Star Alliance is managed here as many of our carriers operate in Australia”.

When probed to discuss pertinent issues of the world economy and escalating fuel prices, Mr Korenke affirmed that “Members believe Star gives them support. It has never been questioned as with over 18000 daily departures with nearly 17000 flights code shared, we need each other especially in this climate.”

“We need to help get the passengers there. Alliance is one of the answers to get past Global Economy and fuel concerns.”

He added, “Also the many benefits for being a Star Alliance member, you have choices on the different carriers, connecting flights, code sharing, lounges, credited mileages and an increase in baggage allowance.”

In a similar vein, Mr Ruediger commented that “All the carriers talk to each other which makes the network so successful. There is a cost when someone swipes their card at check in with one carrier to reap the benefits and it is our job to ensure all carriers are talking with each other.”

Star Alliance is the leading and the largest global alliance offering a global network with 20 quality Airlines is working with Travel Agents on a new incentive “Count Your Lucky Stars”, where they have the chance to win Round the World Tickets.

The winner will have two Business Class tickets, with the runner up receiving Round the World tickets for two people flying economy class.
Agents simply need to obtain a score card from any Star representative.

You can also click on the Star Alliance advertisement on the e-Travel Blackboard homepage to download your score card then start selling Star branded fares to generate Star Points.

Happy Selling.

We’re ready for e-tickets, says alliance

Star Alliance has insisted it is “ready” for the International Air Transport Association’s e-ticket deadline of June 1. “We will fulfil it. We have had some individual problems with some industry partners but we are ready,”

Star Alliance vice president commercial Christopher Korenke said. “It’s a customer benefit and it saves us costs.” Star Alliance members will save about three Euros per ticket, he said.

-eTravel -td