A decision to suspend Air India's integration with the alliance was "jointly" taken by 27 member airlines as the national carrier "has not met the minimum joining conditions that were contractually agreed in December 2007".
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Star Alliance dumps Air India
Image: Joining the alliance would have helped AI to add depth to its routes.Air India was given a deadline of July 31 to meet all standards and criteria to join the Star Alliance network.
A Star Alliance statement said, "The decision to suspend has received subsequent confirmation by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board," which met on Sunday.
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Star Alliance dumps Air India
Image: Ministry wants Star Alliance to reconsider decision."In this process our member carriers will continue to provide assistance to Air India wherever required," Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht was quoted as saying.
Reacting to the decision, official sources said it was "unexpected and disappointing" and added that the Civil Aviation Ministry would soon write to Star Alliance to reconsider their decision.
Expressing regret, they said: "Only last week, a Star Alliance Project Manager had given in writing that all the 87 criteria had been met by Air India."
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Star Alliance dumps Air India
Image: A single airline can block another carrier.An airline cannot join the alliance even if a single full-fledged member airline casts a negative vote.
Asked whether any crucial conditions had not been met by Air India, the official sources said: "All crucial minimum joining conditions, including the Star Alliance Upgrade Award, have been implemented".
Under SAUA, a passenger can get free upgrades on any member airline if he or she has mileage points from another member carrier.
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Star Alliance dumps Air India
Image: Star Alliance has invited Jet Airways to join the group.Star Alliance has also invited premier private carrier Jet Airways to join the grouping, along with Air India.
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Star Alliance dumps Air India
Image: Air India had integrated its ticketing code.As part of a crucial requirement, Air India has already integrated its ticketing code in February to 'AI'. The earlier ticketing codes were 'AI' and 'IC' which was a remnant of the pre-merger scenario where Indian Airlines and Air India operated separately.
It also fulfilled another requirement of having the same code for domestic and international travel to ensure seamless travel.
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