Press Release 2002

Star Alliance opens the door to Brazil with new airpass 
 
Star Alliance™, the airline network for Earth, today announced the introduction of the new Star Alliance VARIG Brazil Airpass that will make traveling around this vast and fascinating country easier and more affordable than ever before.

The new airpass, available for sale beginning January 1, 2003, provides access to 77 destinations in Brazil that are served by approximately 5,300 flights per week. Foreign nationals and Brazilians residing abroad can purchase this new product, which contains from four to nine coupons with fares ranging from US$399 to US$899, excluding taxes and other applicable fees.

“Our new Airpass offers an extremely affordable way to travel through Brazil,” said Rainer Dittrich, Director, Revenue Management, Star Alliance. “A nine-coupon itinerary may cover more than 13,000 miles of travel in Brazil and customers can choose from more than 15,000 flights within a 21 day timeframe.  At US$899 plus applicable taxes, this is definitely value for money”

The Star Alliance VARIG Brazil Airpass is sold only in conjunction with a confirmed international Star Alliance flight to and from Brazil, or it can be purchased in South America under the condition that travel commences in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. The airpass is valid for travel on Star Alliance member VARIG Brazilian Airlines and its regional affiliates Rio-Sul and Nordeste. Full terms and conditions of the airpass are available online at www.star-alliance.com.

The Star Alliance VARIG Brazil Airpass will complement similar Star Alliance products that are available for travel in Europe and North America. Other Star Alliance special fare offerings include Round-the-World fares and a Circle Pacific fare.

Established in May 1997, Star Alliance is the first truly global airline alliance to provide customers the benefits of global reach and a smooth travel experience. The member airlines are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA-All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines, bmi, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Tyrolean Airways, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.

Asiana Airlines of South Korea, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair of Spain will join Star Alliance in 2003. The future member carriers will further strengthen the Star Alliance network, which currently serves 729 airports in 124 countries with almost 11,000 daily flights.

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