SAS and All Nippon Airways sign partnership agreement

SAS AND ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT SAS and All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of establishing a long-term comprehensive partnership, and as part of ANA's preparations towards officially joining Star Alliance. The cooperation between SAS and ANA will initially comprise through check-in services (starting in December of this year), Frequent Flyer programs (starting next spring) and reciprocal use of airport lounges (starting mid-1999). Code-share operations as well as joint marketing and sales activities will also be considered. "Our cooperation with ANA, Japan's largest domestic airline and with a growing number of international services, will significantly improve SAS's product to Japan and beyond," said Mr. Vagn Sörensen, Senior Vice President, SAS Business Systems Division. "ANA serves 35 destinations in Japan and we will be able to provide good connections to and from our partner's domestic network." Members of SAS's EuroBonus Frequent Flyer program and ANA's ANA Mileage Club will be able to accrue as well as redeem mileage across either carrier's route network. Through check-in will be provided so that passengers need only to check in once for the entire trip. ANA announced its intent to join Star Alliance on October 22 and is now preparing to become an official member during the fourth quarter of next year. ANA further plans alliances with Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand, both of which will join the alliance in early 1999, as well as with the existing Star Alliance members Varig Brazilian Airlines and Thai Airways International. SAS is a founding member of Star Alliance, which was established in May, 1997. For further information: Ludmilla Bjerke, Director, Partners/Commercial Affairs, tel. +46-8- 797.2694 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net