Press-news from Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways – Become a Member in the first truly global Aviation Alliance The Star Alliance Network


With the approval of the supervisory board of the Austrian Airlines AG in its meeting on September 21, 1999, the future alliance policy of Austrian Airlines for the beginning of the new millennium was determined. Austrian Airlines and thereby also Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways, will join Star Alliance as of the 2000 summer timetable.

The global Star Alliance Network presently comprises eight well-known airlines - Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines System, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. In October 1999, Japanese All Nippon Airways and in 2000, Austrian Airlines and Mexicana Airlines will join Star Alliance. Based on the contract of Austrian Airlines – Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways will also be members of the global network of airlines. Then, the eleven distinguished partners of Star Alliance, with a total fleet of almost 2000 aircraft, will serve around 800 destinations in more than 112 countries worldwide and transport more than a quarter of a billion passengers annually.

At the end of June 1999, Delta Air Lines and Air France announced that they were establishing a new - presently the fifth - worldwide aviation alliance. Management took this as a reason to subject the alliance and cooperation policies of the Austrian Airlines Aviation Group to a profound analysis and a new definition.

The detailed evaluation of all alliance options yielded a clear preference for membership in the Star Alliance. For this decision, the greatest long term benefit for the customer on a global basis, future expansion opportunities within an established world spanning alliance, positive effects on long-term profitability, further expansion of the Vienna hub, general strengthening of the competitive position and value of the company as well as maintaining independence were the determining factors.

A joint statement by both Austrian Airlines presidents, Dr. Herbert Bammer and Mario Rehulka: "We made today a very important decision for the future and further development of Austrian aviation. This decision will enable us to extend our route network worldwide for the benefit of our customers - from the South Seas to South America!"

Starting with the 2000 summer timetable, Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways will be partners in the powerful Miles & More program. From then, miles can be accrued and redeemed on all routes of the respected Star Alliance partners as well as other airlines joining this program.

All customers of the Austrian Airlines Aviation Group - Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air, and Tyrolean Airways - can join in benefiting from a clearly expanded product.

Bonus miles accumulated in the Qualiflyer frequent flyer program remain valid and naturally will be honored to the same extent as previously by members of the Qualflyer Group as well as other airlines joining this program.

Current contracts and agreements with agents and corporate customers in Austria, will remain in existence in accordance with their term until the end of 1999. This important group of customers will be offered, through the worldwide presence and first-class quality of the Star Alliance partners, even more interesting business opportunities. After all, the customers of the Austrian Airlines Aviation Group will soon have 275,000 highly motivated "star employees" at their service.

Austrian Airlines is included in the Star Alliance Network as a valued partner. The customer-friendly implementation of the alliance switch is beginning already today. Austrian Airlines will announce new offers as well as changes that have been carried out.

"With this redefinition of our alliance strategy we can meet the interests of our customers as well as of our shareholders in the best possible way!" was the concluding statement of the presidents of Austrian Airlines.