Press Releases 2008

TAM AIRLINES TO JOIN STAR ALLIANCE

Brazilian carrier will open Latin American market for Star Alliance.

The Chief Executive Board (CEB) of Star Alliance has unanimously voted to accept Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines, the largest carrier in South America, as a future member.

Star Alliance Wins Business Traveller’s Best Alliance Award Three Times In A Row

Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, has won the Best Airline Alliance Award from Business Traveller (UK), for the third consecutive year.

Turkish Airlines Participates in Star Alliance Upgrade Awards

Turkish Airlines now offers its Miles & Smiles® Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) members Star Alliance Upgrade Awards. This unique redemption incentive enables customers to redeem miles or points from their FFP accounts for one-class upgrades on scheduled flights operated by the participating Star Alliance member carriers.

AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT CHECKING EASES TRAVEL FOR PASSENGERS

Star Alliance Auto Doc Check is an industry first
Singapore Airlines as launch carrier

Star Alliance has launched the first ever airline alliance product aimed at simplifying the often complex task of verifying travel documentation requirements, especially for itineraries which cover several countries. “Auto Doc Check” was developed by a joint Star Alliance initiative involving experts from eleven of its member carriers. Singapore Airlines will be the first Star Alliance carrier to implement Auto Doc Check, with further carriers planning to make use of this product in the future.

STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER CARRIERS MOVE TOGETHER IN SEOUL
Move under one Roof project completed at Incheon International Airport

Star Alliance member carriers today celebrated their move to the western part of the main terminal at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. Following Star Alliance’s Move under one Roof (MuoR) concept, member carriers operating to Incheon completed relocation on June 10. In addition to Asiana this includes Air Canada, Air China, ANA, Lufthansa, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai International Airways, United and Turkish Airlines. In total, they account for 1,500 weekly departures from Incheon.

SIX STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER CARRIERS APPOINT MENZIES AVIATION AS NEW GROUND HANDLER AT LONDON HEATHROW

Improved Customer Service
Annual costs savings of more than one million euro

Through a joint tender, six Star Alliance member carriers at London Heathrow have selected Menzies Aviation as their new ground handling company, in advance of their moves to Terminal 1.

Egyptair becomes 21st member of Star Alliance

At a ceremony in Cairo today, Egyptair officially became the 21st member of Star Alliance, bringing with it 1,624 weekly flights to 69 destinations around the world. Egyptair is the nation’s flag carrier, and will strengthen the alliance’s network throughout Africa and the Middle East.

STAR ALLIANCE LOUNGE OPENS IN LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 1

Star Alliance customers flying from London Heathrow Terminal 1 can now make use of the alliance’s largest lounge. The facility is for first and business class passengers, invited guests and Star Alliance Gold Card holders travelling on any member carrier from Terminal 1.

STAR ALLIANCE INCREASES CORPORATE PLUS REVENUE

Enhanced Chinese network proves popular with customers

Star Alliance Corporate Plus, the alliance’s programme for global corporate travel needs, has continued its successful growth since its inception seven years ago. Figures for 2007, the alliance’s 10th anniversary year, show a further 10 per cent increase with flown revenues rising from 2.2 billion euros to 2.4 billion euros.

STAR ALLIANCE FORMALLY INVITES CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

Alliance membership offer comes in line with Continental / United cooperation

The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance has unanimously agreed to extend an official invitation to Continental Airlines to join the most experienced global airline alliance. This decision coincides with the signing of a major bilateral framework agreement between Continental and Star Alliance member United as well as the announcement of an enhanced transatlantic partnership of the two U.S. airlines and Star Alliance member carriers Air Canada and Lufthansa.

TAP PORTUGAL SELECTS STAR ALLIANCE COMMON IT PLATFORM

TAP Portugal, a member of the Star Alliance network, has chosen the Star Alliance Common IT Platform (CITP) as a replacement for its current IT systems, including reservations, inventory, ticketing and check-in. CITP is a joint centralised platform developed and hosted by Amadeus for participating Star Alliance member carriers. TAP plans to migrate all key airline IT systems to CITP by 2010.

TURKISH AIRLINES JOINS STAR ALLIANCE

Strategic Network Expansion into Central Asia and Middle East Turkish Airlines now delivering all Star Alliance Customer Benefits

At a ceremony held in Istanbul today, Turkish Airlines was welcomed as the 20th Star Alliance member airline. With an additional 31 destinations - mainly in Turkey, Central Asia and the Middle East, customers now have more choice than ever before when travelling on the Star Alliance network. Overall, the world's most experienced aviation alliance now offers customers the choice of 18,000 daily flights serving 965 airports in 162 countries.

FASTER DOMESTIC TO INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS FOR STAR ALLIANCE CUSTOMERS AT TOKYO’S NARITA AIRPORT

New transfer facility reduces minimum connecting time by 15 minutes Improved convenience for passengers

From April 16th, 2008 passengers arriving on ANA flights from domestic destinations in Japan will be able to connect to international flights through a new facility in the South Wing of Narita Airport’s Terminal 1. This will shorten the present route taken by customers transferring onto Star Alliance member carrier international flights from ANA domestic flights, reducing minimum connecting times from 60 to 45 minutes*.

STAR ALLIANCE CARRIERS MOVE TO NEW TERMINALS
AT BEIJING AND SHANGHAI - PUDONG AIRPORTS

In Beijing all carriers now operate from Terminal 3
In Pudong, Shanghai Airlines now flies from Terminal 2 with the remaining Star Alliance member carriers moving at the end of April

Following the recent joining of Air China and Shanghai Airlines with the Star Alliance network, the member carriers serving China have now begun the move to the new terminals at Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong Airport, bringing to fruition further "Move under one Roof" projects in Asia.

STAR ALLIANCE GEARS UP FOR TERMINAL MOVES
AT LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT

Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, is preparing to start implementation of its long anticipated “Move under one Roof” project at London’s Heathrow Airport. Realisation will be in various phases, with the first commencing in April this year and completion expected in 2012.

South African Airways and Star Alliance strengthen focus on Africa

South African Airways' (SAA) is moving into the next phase of its membership of Star Alliance, with both parties focusing their efforts on furthering their combined presence on the African continent. SAA joined the Star Alliance network two years ago with warm African exuberance at the airline's headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Star Alliance upgrades the Round the World Mileage Calculator

Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, has upgraded the 2006 online version of its highly popular ‘Round the World Mileage Calculator’ (RTW MC). For planning their trips customers now enjoy the following additional features: Dynamic Mapping, Seven-Day Look-Up, Historical Weather Look-Up and the Airport Finder. Together with the Circle Fare and Airpass Calculator that already have these features the RTW MC can be found at http://www.staralliance.com/fareproductcalculators.

Explore China with the new Star Alliance China Airpass

Exploring China has never been easier than with the Star Alliance China Airpass which officially launches today. The introduction of the alliance’s 11^th fare product has been made possible with the recent joining of Air China and Shanghai Airlines, which now offer Star Alliance customers an extensive Chinese Domestic network. Air travel on these routes can now be enjoyed with prices ranging from CNY 2810 (approximately EUR 268 or USD 394) for a three coupon ticket, progressively increasing to a maximum of CNY 7970 (approximately EUR 760 or USD 1116) for a ten coupon ticket. Travel within China can be round trip, circle or open-jaw in Economy Class and may last up to a maximum of two months.

Star Alliance Launches Online Circle Fare And Airpass Calculator

Customers making travel arrangements using the various Star Alliance fare products can now make use of a new online tool which simplifies the planning process. The Circle Fare and Airpass Calculator, available on the Star Alliance website at www.staralliance.com/fareproductcalculators allows customers to plan their preferred routings at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once a valid itinerary for the desired trip has been created, it can then be transmitted to one of the member carriers for ticketing or printed and taken to a travel agent.

Star Alliance appoints Christopher Korenke as new Vice-President Commercial

Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, has appointed Christopher Korenke as Vice-President Commercial effective February 1st, 2008. Reporting directly to the Star Alliance CEO, Mr. Korenke will have responsibility for all loyalty, marketing and sales functions at Star Alliance Services GmbH, the project and brand management company working on behalf of the 19-member airline alliance.