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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...1302720300.htm

Non-stop Chicago-Delhi daily flight from Air Sahara-American Air
Our Bureau




New Delhi , July 12

IN a move that will benefit passengers and the movement of freight between India and the US, American Airlines (AA) and Air Sahara today announced the start of a daily non-stop flight between New Delhi and Chicago from November 15 this year.

Speaking to newspersons, Mr Craig Kreeger, AA's Vice-President, Europe and Pacific, said that the 7,484-mile distance would be the longest non-stop route on the airline's international network.

The airline will operate a Boeing 777-200 aircraft offering 236 seats including 16 in first class and 185 seats in economy class.

The two airlines have entered into an agreement that will see them jointly market and promote the flight.

The new service will carry the flight number of both Air Sahara and AA, thereby giving the Indian carrier a presence in the US market.

The agreement in no way affects the future plans of Air Sahara to launch its own flights to the US.

The new flight will also provide connectivity for cargo shipments between the India and the US as AA's cargo division provides over 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift capacity to major cities in the US, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, and Asia.

"The launch of the flight will have an immense impact on the flying time between India and the US, which will be reduced by between 20-25 per cent. The tie-up between us will benefit the traveller in many other ways including allowing a passenger flying between San Francisco and Bangalore to check in just once. Besides, they will also be able to accrue frequent flyer points and use business lounges worldwide," said Mr Ronojoy Dutta, President of Air Sahara.

The tie-up will also provide passengers from across India with fast and convenient connections to destinations throughout the US, Canada, and Central and South America.

Meanwhile, Air Sahara officials said that the airline was moving towards joining the global airline alliance, Oneworld.

Although I have a strong preference for Jet Airways, I would welcome Air Sahara into OneWorld and it would be a competitive advantage for a major airline alliance. That said, membership into these alliances is not always a straightforward matter and often seems to be a slow-go or a no-go.

If I can earn AA (or any other OW airline's) miles from domestic Indian flights, I know some very happy campers then -- especially given certain possibilities with Air Sahara.

http://www.airsahara.net/airsahara/agreenew.jsp

Agreement Signed Between British Airways and Air Sahara

New Delhi: British Airways and Air Sahara have signed a Memorandum of Understanding signalling the start of mutual cooperation to offer customers a better travel experience and to better connect India and the world.

British Airways and Air Sahara have agreed to evaluate schedules, routes, flights, ground services and their frequent flyer programmes to identify opportunities which will enable the two airlines to add value to customers. The two airlines will also explore the potential for codeshare opportunities subject to government approval. Apart from extending their mutual networks, each airline will benefit extensively from the others' experience and expertise in their respective regions. The airlines envisage signing a full agreement later this year.

Martin George, British Airways Commercial Director said: "India is a very important market for British Airways, indicated by our 75 year history in the country. During the next year, we will increase frequencies between the UK and India by more than 100 percent including the start of a new route between Bangalore and London Heathrow.

"We believe that a strategic alliance with an innovative and progressive airline, Air Sahara, will be an integral ingredient in ensuring that British Airways customers have smoother transits to the growing list of Air Sahara's Indian and regional destinations. India is one of the world's fastest growing air travel markets and as a country, has a lot to offer to both international trade and tourism and we are keen to continue to invest in India."

Ronojoy Dutta, President - Air Sahara said "We are delighted that Air Sahara is partnering with one of the world's premier airline - British Airways, to provide an extensive network, superior service and frequent flyer reciprocal programmes to all our customers. We view this strategic relationship as an important milestone in Air Sahara's global expansion".

A quick series of agreements like this is certainly a very good sign.

I guess this may mean that Jet goes forward with SkyTeam or Star Alliance. Right now Jet Airways has FF program tie-ups with NW/KLM.

Isn't Air Sahara codesharing with United on the LHR-DEL sector?

I doubt it, must be thinking of Sahara codesharing with AA on ORD-DEL

Doesn't Jet Airways have FF programme tie up with BA for Indian residents?

Then United employees at LHR were giving Air Sahara free advertisement; and I doubt UA employees at LHR were being "trained"/"updated" for no good reason and supplying free advertisement that UA was once again going to provide service to India (this time via a code-share). Perhaps things have changed in the last 9 weeks between UA and Air Sahara.

Jet Airways may have had a tie up with BA's FF program in the past but today it is apparently not for accrual or redemption purposes (by BA Exec. Club members); whenever Jet Airways are asked in India lately on matters of accrual (i.e. crediting BA Exec Club accounts), Jet seems to indicate that BA accrual is not an option and yet are more than happy to credit NW or KL accounts.

Now there is news that Sahara is in talks with Cathay Pacific. I think Air Sahara is all set to join One World. What I would like to see is Air Sahara start international operations from their Hub Hyderabad.

UA's codeshare is with Jet (9W) and NOT S2. S2 had hinted at talks with Chicago hub carrier, so many assumed United. AA also has a hub in ORD and hence the confusion. It is possible that talks progressed with both but worked out with AA.

Thanks. How quick things change.

This is great news. I hope the deals with the other One World partners go through quick. Seems like S2 is already working with the ones that server India.

We could all be doing "Rupee Runs" in a couple of years for those last minute requalification sectors!

If things go a certain way, I know a lot of people who will spend INR 50,000 for certain EXtra-Plush benefits.