Source: Flight International Author: David Kaminski-Morrow 07/11/2008
Subject Concerned: Airlines Airport
EgyptAir has formally joined Star Alliance, just nine months after the alliance's board voted to accept the Egyptian flag-carrier as a member.
The airline was officially brought into the group at a ceremony at Cairo International Airport on July 11.
EgyptAir takes the number of Star Alliance members to 21. The carrier operates to 69 destinations and performs 1,624 weekly services.
Since being accepted as a member last October, EgyptAir has been working on a swift accession to the alliance. It had originally expected to reach full membership status in as little as six to eight months.
The carrier has aligned its reservation and ticketing systems, as well as its frequent-flyer programme, with those of other Star Alliance members.
"Star Alliance was our choice of alliance mainly because it is the biggest, strongest and most dynamic of the alliances, focusing on rendering high-quality services to passengers while minimising costs," says EgyptAir holding company chief Tawfik Assy.
Cairo International Airport is to open a third terminal in the autumn this year which will be a dedicated Star Alliance facility, accommodating seven members of the alliance.