Press Release 2004

Star Alliance approves South African Airways' membership application

The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth™, today unanimously approved South African Airways' application to join the alliance.

“With South African Airways in the fold, we significantly strengthen our position in Africa in terms of schedule, network reach and service quality,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Star Alliance. “We’re thrilled to have SAA on board and look forward to the official inauguration in 2005.”

“This is an historic and important day for our airline and our country,” commented André Viljoen, President and CEO of South African Airways. “Now, more than ever before, South African Airways will bring the world to South Africa and a world of benefits to our customers.”

South African Airways, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has one of the youngest fleets in the world serving more than 20 destinations across Africa as well as flying to 34 cities in 26 countries on six continents. When it joins Star Alliance next year, members of South African Airways’ frequent flyer programme Voyager will be able to accrue and redeem miles on any of the other member airlines and will be eligible to achieve Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold status, both of which offer a wide range of benefits.

South African Airways joins TAP Air Portugal and the first Star Alliance regional member airline, Blue1, as future members of the alliance. Following their official inaugurations, the Star Alliance network will comprise over 15,000 daily flights to 833 destinations in 152 countries.

Star Alliance was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.

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