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Juneyao becomes Star Alliance partner
May 26th 2017
Shanghai’s Juneyao Airlines this week became Star Alliance’s first official ‘connecting partner’ as the Frankfurt-headquartered alliance celebrated its 20th anniversary. Read More » The alliance launched the Connecting Partner Model (CPM) last year “to recapture lost market share to low-cost and hybrid carriers” but also “to grow more strategically in certain locations”, alliance CEO, Jeffrey Goh, told Orient Aviation in Shanghai.
CPM passengers will be offered “through check-in” in both directions and Star ‘Gold Status’ passengers will have privileges such as lounge access, fast-track security, additional luggage allowance and priority check-in, boarding, standby and baggage delivery.
“With Juneyao Airlines as a connecting partner we have achieved two important goals. First, as an alliance we can offer regional airlines an attractive way to connect to our global alliance network, without requiring full membership. It will allow us to strategically enhance our network,” Goh said. “Second, with Juneyao Airlines we strengthen our market position in Shanghai, a city that already is served by 17 of our member airlines, which will now offer even better connectivity to our customers.”
Juneyao will add 80 city pairs to the alliance network and 270 additional daily departures. Juneyao has signed commercial agreements with Air China, Air Canada, EVA Airways, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines, allowing reciprocal mileage accrual and redemption.
Juneyao Airlines chairman, Wang Junjin said, “In our 11-year history we have grown into a medium-sized airline operating 62 A320-family aircraft. Being selected as a connecting partner by Star Alliance for providing additional connectivity through Shanghai is recognition of our dedication to service.”
Speaking in Shanghai, Air China senior vice-president, Zhao Xiaohang, said the Mainland flag carrier was “honoured to be the referee of Juneyao to Star”, and added Juneyao has been “in strict compliance” of all the CPM requirements.
Juneyao chairman Wang said his airline expected to receive its first B787-9 in September, with two more of the type to follow before year-end. It firmed up an order for five -9s, with five options, earlier this year. The airline will fly the wide body on new routes to Australia, Europe and the U.S., with Frankfurt, Sydney and Vancouver shortlisted as potential launch destinations.
Wang said becoming a connecting partner was a “preliminary step” toward full-fledged Star membership but this was subject to putting a sound feeder network in place first.
On its existing commercial ties with China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member, Wang said “one shouldn’t give up on old friends when making new friends” and so it will continue working with its Shanghai neighbour.
