EVA Air to join Star Alliance

“EVA Air is a very good fit for Star Alliance, as the airline will add many new routes to our global network, with a specific focus on the growing Far East aviation market,” said Mark Schwab, chief executive officer of Star Alliance. “This will increase choices for our customers and is in line with our mission of being the leading global airline alliance for the international traveller.”
Suvarnabhumi is EVA Air’s main focus airport outside Taiwan.
Since its founding nearly 15 years ago by five airlines including Thai Airways International, Frankfurt-based Star Alliance has built up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and will have eight member carriers based in the region by mid-2013.
Through its membership in Star Alliance, EVA Air will be able to offer its customers access to a global network, along with seamless travel and status recognition within the various member carrier frequent-flyer programmes.
James Jeng, chairman of EVA Air, said: “After careful evaluation we concluded that Star Alliance offers the best match for EVA Air. Our networks complement each other and we will expand the existing alliance flight options in the growing cross-strait market.
“We look forward to significant synergy in both service enhancement and expansion of our customer base. In addition, our partnership with Air China makes the Star Alliance especially attractive to us.”
The integration process will now begin, with the respective teams at EVA Air and Star Alliance commencing the work that needs to be completed before a new airline can join the Star Alliance network. Air China, the mainland’s flag carrier, will assist in this process as the mentor airline.