Star Alliance is holding exploratory talks with Ethiopian Airlines and will discuss the African carrier’s potential membership at its chief executive board meeting today in Brussels, Star CEO Jaan Albrecht confirmed to ATWOnline. “We have been talking to them as part of our strategy to fill in our white spots on the world map,” he said, pointing out that that while small in market share, Central Africa is showing strong growth. A decision on ET is not “imminent,” he stressed, and an announcement can be expected in the first half of 2010.
ET would be Star’s third member in Africa and would provide a good fit with EgyptAir in the north and South African Airways down south. Eleven Star Alliance members serve 81 destinations in 40 countries across Africa at present. Ethiopian carried 2.8 million passengers in its fiscal year ended June 30, a 12.3% increase year-on-year, and net profit jumped 165% to ETB1.35 billion ($105.2 million). It has five 777-200ELRs, 10 787s, 12 A350s and eight Q400s on order.
by Cathy Buyck
Previous 
Next 
Categories
Tag Cloud
Blog RSS
Comments RSS
Last 50 Posts
Back
Void 
Life 
Earth 
Wind 
Water 
Fire