EgyptAir to join Star Alliance

At a joint ceremony held in Cairo today, the Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance has voted to accept EgyptAir as a future member,

– Egypt is one of the most important aviation markets in Africa, with a large potential for both business and leisure travel. We are proud that EgyptAir, a world class airline, has chosen to join Star Alliance, thereby recognizing the importance of alliances in aviation today, commented Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance.
– EgyptAir provides an ideal network fit for Star Alliance and will permit many more passengers to experience the alliance’s customer benefits especially in markets, in which Star Alliance was up to now under represented, Albrecht continued.

In order to implement the Star Alliance “Move under one Roof” concept at Cairo Airport, EgyptAir and the Star Alliance member carriers flying to Cairo will move to the new
Terminal 3 once it opens in 2008

Within the integration process now underway, EgyptAir is set to become a full Star Alliance member carrier within the next 18 months. EgyptAir will add nine additional unique airports into Star Alliance network, bringing the overall total to more than 17,700 daily flights serving 944 destinations in 161 countries. (Figures are based on current 17 member carriers and the four carriers set to join soon – Air China, Egypt Air, Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

EgyptAir was established in May 1932 as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa and the seventh to join IATA. In 2004, EgyptAir demonstrated the scale of its commitment to the highest standards of safety by being the first IOSA certified airline in the Middle East and Africa.

About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997. 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.

SAS Group Corporate Communications