Press Releases 2007

Star Alliance Voices Support For Thai Airways International Staying At The New Suvarnabhumi Airport In Bangkok,Thailand

Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance serving Thailand, today announced its strong support for maintaining operations and smooth connections through the new Suvarnabhumi Airport for all nine member carriers serving Bangkok, Thailand

“We fully endorse the policy of our home carrier and founding member, Thai Airways International, to retain its hub operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport”, said Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer, summarising the position of the Star Alliance Thailand Country Steering Council. “By moving together under one roof at the new Suvarnabhumi airport Star Alliance carriers have signalled their joint intention to offer fast and comfortable connections and services in safe, modern and passenger-pleasing facilities.”

Thai Airways International President, Apinan Sumanaseni said: “THAI and Star Alliance’s decision to maintain hub operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport will strengthen the region’s hub position with the support of the alliance. THAI and member carriers of Star Alliance in Thailand continue to support the Star Alliance ‘Move under one Roof’ concept, whereby airport services such as check-in and lounges, are provided by member carriers from the same terminal. By remaining at Suvarnabhumi Airport the member carriers will be able to continue to provide the best in convenient service to Star Alliance passengers for maximum flight connectivity.”

The Star Alliance and THAI comments follow recent proposals by Thai authorities to re open the old Don Muang airport to some international and domestic traffic which could potentially disrupt connections for Star Alliance customers traveling through Bangkok.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport the “Move under one Roof” concept is realised by having all Star Alliance carriers grouped together between check-in isles A and K in the single terminal, with Thai Airways International occupying rows A to C . There is also a joint Star Alliance information and ticketing counter. Star Alliance customers can enjoy Thai Airways International lounges and the Star Alliance common baggage service facility on arrival at customer service points.

In addition to Thai Airways International, a further eight Star Alliance member carriers serve Bangkok: ANA, Austrian, Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS and United. Together, Star Alliance member carriers in Thailand operate around 1000 flights per week out of Bangkok, which represents 47.2 percent of all international seats.

The Star Alliance “Move under one Roof” strategy is being rolled out around the world. Last year the first dedicated Star Alliance Terminal in Asia was opened at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Across its network the alliance has ongoing terminal projects in Beijing, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Shanghai and Singapore,.

About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003 and 2006 and by Skytrax in 2003 and 2005. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Air China, Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines have all been accepted as future members and are expected to join Star Alliance soon. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries.

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