WASHINGTON (AFP) — Airlines in the Star Alliance of global carriers said Wednesday they had asked US regulators to approve the addition of Continental Airlines to the code-sharing group.
Continental would leave the SkyTeam -- a group that includes Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM -- for the Star Alliance pending approval from the US Department of Transportation.
Approval "would enable Continental, United and the other immunized Star Alliance carriers to work closely together to deliver highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service," said a statement from Continental.
The Star Alliance includes US-based United Airlines, with which Continental has also a broad partnership that includes code-sharing.
The Star Alliance also includes Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and US Airways.
Separately, Continental, United, Lufthansa and Air Canada have requested approval to establish a transatlantic joint venture "to create a more efficient and comprehensive" network.
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