Star Alliance Chiefs use Vienna Summit to discuss trends and constraints of the industry

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 favouring 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 Jürgen 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 globalised 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.