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Even though the Civil Aviation Ministry is miffed with the suspension of Air India's membership application to Star Alliance, it is unlikely to stop other Indian airlines from joining the 27-member grouping.
“The Minister has gone on record stating that we have no problems with any another Indian airline joining the alliance. But we do not understand why Air India's application was rejected. If they are trying to arm-twist us by blocking Air India and bringing in another airline, it would not work,” a Ministry source told Business Line .
However, sources said, there hasn't been any application made by any other airline to join the alliance.
The Ministry officials' response came to a Business Line query on whether they would scuttle the entry of any other airline into the alliance, as was being indicated by a representative from Star Alliance.
Star Alliance is one of the oldest and the largest in terms of the number of airlines as members. Its member airlines include German carrier Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air China and Japan's All Nippon Airways.
Jet comfort-level
Industry sources indicated that Star Alliance is keen on having Jet Airways on board. However, Ministry officials said that Jet Airways had approached Star Alliance for membership in 2007 but has not yet made a full application.
Jet Airways already has a close relationship with four out of 27 members of the alliance.
There were some airlines that were against Air India getting the alliance membership. The major point of contention was Air India's delays in getting a passenger service system as well as safety and security concerns, the source indicated.
“Concerns on Air India's entry were raised by United Airlines and Air Canada. Both the airlines have a code-share agreement with Jet Airways,” said a source in Star Alliance.
Some members of the alliance held a meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday to discuss the suspension of Air India's application.
Any new member joining Star Alliance has financial implications on the existing members as well. This is because airlines have to undertake various changes so that their systems integrate with the member airlines.
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