News from Star Alliance

Taiwan’s EVA Air will add its name to the impressive Star Alliance roster when it joins the Alliance in 12 to 18 months. The addition of EVA Air underscores the Alliance’s long-term strategy of seeking network growth and providing access to new regions that show strong economic potential and development. more

TAP Portugal will be one of the first European airlines to offer inflight connectivity services on its flights between Europe and North and South America with the expected launch of OnAir Wi-Fi service this year. Passengers will be able to use the OnAir Internet System on A330 aircraft operating on transatlantic routes, allowing them to access the Internet, including e-mail on iPhones, iPads, BlackBerrys and laptop computers. Payment is made with credit cards.  more

ANA Group is launching an ambitious environmental programme with the aim of reducing its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 compared with 2005 levels. Dubbed ANA Fly Eco 2020, the plan will see the introduction of more fuel efficient aircraft into the ANA fleet, use of biofuels in place of conventional aviation fuel and more fuel-efficient operating procedures. more

Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways will both offer flights to Benin in West Africa beginning in May and June. more

Austrian Airlines has the green light from Lufthansa for the Work Programme it presented in January. Parent company Lufthansa will support Austrian Airlines with a conditions-based capital increase of up to 140 million euros. The funds will be used to prepare the harmonisation of the medium-haul fleet and the consequent restructuring.  more

Turkish Airlines and Boeing unveiled a surprise for its employees today - a new Boeing 737-800 airplane decorated with roughly 17,000 photos of those working on behalf of Turkish Airlines in 191 destinations around the world. more

Carriers Avianca and Taca have signed commercial agreements with Aeromexico that will expand their route networks to give customers more flight options. more

Starting April 1, Ethiopian Airlines will operate flights from Addis Ababa to Seychelles. The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands. The country is a world leader in sustainable ecotourism.  more

Turkish Airlines' first flight to Mogadishu, Somalia and the first service to the Somali capital by any European airline, departed on March .  more

Chicago's Star Alliance Airport Team (SAAT) made up of member carrier airport managers, has been selected as SAAT of the Year for the Americas for 2011.  more

Star Alliance's new home at Heathrow marked the end of major structural work with a topping off ceremony in London. more