Press Release 2004

The Star Alliance Network signs first Australian Corporate Travel Agreement
 
Warner Music Australia has become the first Australian company to sign a corporate travel agreement with the Star Alliance network for its international travel.

The decision follows an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ruling that allows Australian companies to ask the Star Alliance network for a single, combined corporate travel arrangement rather than negotiating separately with airlines in the alliance.

“The ruling enables Australian companies to have their business travel needs competitively tendered and serviced by the world’s largest global airline alliance,” said Stephen Pearse, Chairman of the Star Alliance network Country Steering Committee in Australia, and General Manager of United Airlines in Australia.

“All companies or their travel management companies need do is contact the sales teams of any of our member carriers, work out a plan that takes advantage of our collective networking and service benefits, then book and manage the travel in the normal way.”

Pearse said a single agreement offered greater flexibility and access to a range of benefits for corporate travellers by allowing member airlines to submit a tender based on their collective strength and a greater understanding of the customer's complete international travel requirements.

Pearse said the Star Alliance network was delighted to welcome Warner Music Australia as the first of what he expected to be a 'queue' of companies wanting to take advantage of the new ruling to streamline their corporate arrangements.

Warner Music Australia's Chief Financial Officer, Mark Narborough, said the agreement had given Warner Music an effective way to cut costs with its offshore travel.
“We were very mindful of having to reduce costs and the opportunity to talk to Star Alliance gave us a quick and simple way of achieving our objectives.  Star Alliance was very keen to negotiate with us and we will make savings from day one.”

Pearse said the Star Alliance network offers access to 772 airports in 133 countries along with a list of benefits that included the ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles or points on member airlines, flexible fare structures and prices and priority service for Star Alliance Gold Members in reservations, standby and boarding procedures.

Star Alliance was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience.  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.  South African Airways and TAP Air Portugal are scheduled to join the alliance in 2005.

Further information available at www.staralliance.com

To download supporting documents, use one of the links below or use the right hand button on the mouse.