Star Alliance Chiefs Use Vienna Summit to Discuss Trends and Constraints Of The Industry

    VIENNA, Austria, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chief Executive Board of Star
 Alliance, meeting in Vienna, Austria on Sunday, June 25, 2000, clearly
 reinforced its positioning within the competitive world of airline-alliances.
 Discussing topics like customer-focus, network strength, competitive
 environment and future trends of the industry, the Star Alliance leaders agree
 on their view that deepening the co-operation of existing members will play
 the key role over just adding members to the team.
     "We do not intend to give away our pole position to any of the competing
 alliances," says Mario Rehulka, President of Austrian Airlines, stressing that
 Star Alliance as the first truly global airline network has from its beginning
 directed all efforts towards the introduction of worldwide seamless service
 for its customers.
     With more nonstop flights to more destinations than any other airline
 alliance, Star Alliance has created a network of hubs around the globe: "In 82
 percent of the markets we serve, flying Star Alliance is the fastest option"
 says Montie Brewer, Vice President Alliances of United Airlines.
     Clearly favoring competition for the benefit of the consumer, Sir Michael
 Bishop, Chairman of British Midland, uses London Heathrow Airport -- the most
 important intercontinental airport in the world as an example: "Our entry into
 Star Alliance will help to establish Heathrow as the 'Chicago of Europe' with
 two alliances competing head to head, offering more choice and attractive
 fares to the traveling public."
     Jan Stenberg, President of Scandinavian Airlines System, warned
 decision-makers and authorities around the globe not to fall back in their
 efforts to secure sufficient infrastructure to cope with the demand of the
 air-traffic of tomorrow.  With an emphasis on Europe's current constraints in
 the Air Traffic Control situation, he stated: "Action has to be taken!  The
 European Union as an entity should take an active role and why not be the
 driving force."
     Trendscouting being a core task of global businesses leads Star Alliance
 to the conclusion that an integration of modern E-Business developments and
 the necessity for seamless mobility for global citizens are key factors for
 longterm success in the airline industry: "The Internet and the Airplane"
 compares Jurgen Weber, Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa German
 Airlines, "have already become matching companions of the 21st century....
 Mobility is the lifeblood of our globalized economy.  We have established Star
 Alliance in order to make an important contribution to taking the whole world
 -online- !"
     Star Alliance groups together several of the world's leading airlines,
 serving more than 815 destinations in over 130 countries.  The members are Air
 Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines Group (Austrian
 Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), Ansett Australia, British Midland,
 Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS),
 Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG
 Brazilian Airlines.
 
 

SOURCE  Star Alliance