Some of my findings have yielded me to finding Chinese Aviation UPDATES:

China Southern (CZ) will join Skyteam in 2007. The reason? Probably because of the good relations they have with KLM and maybe Delta Airlines as well (I know they codeshare but have never read about their relationship otherwise).

I think I read somewhere that Sichuan Airlines (3U) would like to join Skyteam as an associate member. Can't remember where though. 3U is part owned by CZ and co-operates with KLM. It doesn't sound unlogical from that point of view.

Air China and Shanghai Airlines have been invited to join Star Alliance. Both have codeshare relations to several Star alliance carriers.

DABTH wrote:

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by far i think star alliance is the best... then again.. you could say im partial... but quite honestly from an insder point of view and overall... i really think we're doing damn well... and offer the widest coverage and choice if not the widest customer base

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Early sometime Star Alliance Bosses were here to make a presentation to the corporate honchos of Air India.....

AirIndia even released a statement saying that its entry into Star Alliance would be finalised by March 2007.

9W is news to me. I did not know that they were planning to join SA*.

Nimish wrote:

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JumboJet wrote:

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9W is news to me. I did not know that they were planning to join SA*.

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I don't think 9W has any published plans/intentions to join any alliance right now. They are currently happy to "tie-up" with all airlines/alliances.

I think the comments about 9W joining *A were in the nature of a "dream"!

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I think this dream should materialise for IC then.

They are a bit more service oriented and aggressive now.

What do u think are the chances of IC and/or 9W for joining the SA* and what chances do they stand if they join to affect their market share and penetration levels

Apparently there has been progress with AI and *A, b/c they already have a codeshare and M&M partbership with LH and are getting or will get an invitation from LH to join the alliance.

See this June 2006 Article:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1690827.cms

so I think with the new planes and new product---a welcome image change, the Star Introduction will occur around the same time if AI pans up to the Star Expectations.

On the note about Jet Airways....There are some very strong, but perhaps coincidental ties b/w them adn Star adn LH.  I believe the CEO, Mr.Wolfgang Prock-Shauer was with LH and Star Alliance prior to joining 9W. Of course they have the tie ups with LH and SR, Austrian, but also with Skyteam and One World ----with all options open.