Juneyao forms strategic partnership with Star Alliance

Chinese carrier Juneyao Airlines would soon start offering services such as through-checkin, lounge access and other priority privileges to the eligible fliers of member airlines of Star Alliance, travelling on connecting itineraries.
The Shanghai-headquartered carrier, Juneyao, which operates both domestic and international services from two Chinese international airports --Hongqiao and Pudong --has formed a strategic partnership with Star Alliance, which gives it the status of "connecting partner" in the 28-member global airlines grouping.
The tie-up with Juneyao Airlines would be effective from 2017, a Star Alliance press release said today.
Currently 17 Star Alliance member airlines are operating around 1,600 weekly services in and out of Pudong and Hongqiao international airports.

The strategic tie up would also benefit the fliers of national carrier Air India, which is member airline of Star Alliance and offers its air services to and from the Pudong Airport.
With a fleet of 56 aircraft Juneyao Airlines provides more than 1,700 weekly flights to 69 destinations in eight countries and regions, the release said.

The connecting partner model is designed to allow airlines to connect to the Star Alliance network without having to become a full member.
For customers this gives access to additional travel options beyond the current 1,300 airports served by the Alliance's 28 member airlines, the release said, adding "connecting partners are carefully selected and need to adhere to the high operating standards required by the Alliance."

"Juneyao Airlines is a terrific addition to our network proposition in China and particularly in the Shanghai market. Thanks to Juneyao's expanding reach, our passengers will enjoy a wide choice of flight connections through our future partner to numerous Chinese metropolis and several international destinations," Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Mark Schwab said.
Under the partnership, customers travelling on an itinerary which includes a transfer between a Star Alliance member airline and a connecting partner will be offered the standard Alliance benefits such as passenger and baggage through check-in. In addition, Star Alliance Gold status customers will enjoy a tailored set of privileges in line with the product offerings of the individual connecting partner, the release said.

It also said that connecting partners will enter into bilateral commercial agreements with selected Star Alliance member airlines, which may include frequent flyer programme based privileges.
"Juneyao Airlines is proud to play its role in enlarging the Star Alliance network offer through Shanghai's two airports. We look forward to welcoming connecting passengers from Star Alliance on our airline in the near future. We offer 53 additional routes which will complement Star Alliance's existing services from Shanghai and will no doubt attract more connecting passengers to our two home hub airports", said Wang Junjin, Chairman Juneyao Airlines.
Work has now commenced to establish the necessary technology and commercial links which will allow Juneyao Airlines to begin serving Star Alliance connecting passengers some time during the second quarter 2017, the release said.