Press Release 2000

Austrian Airlines Group has joined Star Alliance

The Austrian Airlines Group joined Star Alliance™ - the airline network for Earth - on March 26, becoming the 10th member of the first truly global airline partnership which was created in 1997. The newest member comprises Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways and will considerably expand Star Alliance's reach into the eastern and southeastern parts of Europe as well as the Middle East.

"The Austrian Airlines Group enjoys a reputation of excellent service and operational quality. Its membership will greatly strengthen the Star Alliance network in Europe and further enhance the benefits we are able to offer our customers," the Star Alliance CEOs said in a statement.

Mr. Friedel Rödig, Chairman of the Star Alliance Management Board added, "The pace with which the Austrian Airlines Group has carried out the work that was necessary to integrate it into the alliance, is an excellent proof of the spirit of our new member. They have done a tremendous job since they announced their intention to join Star Alliance last fall."

Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways serve more than 120 destinations in 67 countries with a combined fleet of some 90 aircraft. Almost 8 million passengers used their services in 1999, traveling to and from Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg on 410 flights per day.

Star Alliance airlines are the leading carriers in the regions they serve. As of March 26, the Star Alliance members are: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia, Austrian Airlines Group, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. Singapore Airlines is set to join the alliance next month, to be followed later this year by Mexicana Airlines and British Midland Airways. With the addition of the new members, the Star Alliance network will cover more than 800 destinations in 130 countries.

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