All Nippon Airways Joins Star Alliance Network

All Nippon Airways Joins Star Alliance Network - Singapore Airlines Also Announces Plans to Join At a ceremony in Tokyo today, All Nippon Airways (ANA), was welcomed as the newest member of Star Alliance(TM) . ANA becomes the ninth member of the airline alliance, and expands significantly Star Alliance's ability to serve customers traveling to one of the world's foremost business destinations. Joining the CEOs of the member airlines at the celebration was Dr. Cheong Choong Kong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Singapore Airlines, who announced that Singapore Airlines would also be joining the Star Alliance marketing alliance in the near future. "Joining Star Alliance is an important step forward into a new century for ANA," said Mr. Kichisaburo Nomura, President and CEO of ANA . "By further expanding our Japan, Southeast Asia and China networks and strengthening demand, we look forward to playing an active role as a member of the Star Alliance team." "Our entry into Star Alliance will substantially strengthen the Alliance 's global route network, especially in Asia, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe," said Dr. Cheong. "We are offering our customers an opportunity to travel farther, faster, and more conveniently than ever before." With ANA joining the airline alliance, Star Alliance carriers serve more than 760 destinations around the world, in more than 112 countries spanning five continents. The Star Alliance network is now of such breadth that it is the most convenient way to get from virtually any business destination on the planet to another. "We are very pleased to have ANA as our newest member," said Mr. Jan Stenberg, of SAS. "The quality of their fleet, the extent of their network within Japan and overseas, and, above all, the quality of their customer service, makes ANA an ideal addition to our alliance." Star Alliance airlines are the leading carriers in the regions they serve. As of today's announcement, the Star Alliance members are: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and Varig Brazilian Airlines. Earlier this year, Mexicana Airlines announced that it would join the airline alliance next summer. Austrian Airlines has also announced plans to join. Singapore Airlines will become a member in the spring. Hassle-free travel Members of any Star Alliance frequent flyer program can accumulate and redeem mileage points on all scheduled flights operated by all member airlines. By traveling with Star Alliance airlines, passengers enjoy hassle-free travel from start to finish. The member airlines have adjusted their schedules to permit faster connections. And while waiting for connections, eligible passengers have access to more than 250 business lounges operated by Star Alliance carriers in the world's major airports. Since the creation of the Star Alliance network in May 1997, the member airlines have served more than 400 million passengers. On average, a Star Alliance flight takes off somewhere on the globe every 10 seconds. Founded in 1952, All Nippon Airways served the Japanese domestic market for the first 30 years of its existence. In 1986, ANA entered a new era with its first scheduled flight from Narita (Tokyo) to Guam after the Japanese government decided to allow increased competition in the expanding Japanese market for overseas travel. It has since grown to be the sixth largest IATA airline in terms of passengers carried, serving more than half of the Japanese domestic travel market, and 28 destinations abroad. Last year, ANA served more than 41 million air travelers. Singapore Airlines is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading carriers and an industry leader and innovator, especially in the areas of product innovation and customer service. Its route network reaches out to over 90 destinations in over 40 countries. SIA has one of the youngest fleets of any major airline, with an average age of just over five years. SAS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/31/20030731BIT00430/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/31/20030731BIT00430/wkr0002.pdf