Star Alliance has announced South African budget carrier Mango Airlines (MNO, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) will be the launch airline for its recently unveiled Connecting Partner Model (CPM).
Under the project, routes operated by Low Cost Carriers (LCC) and hybrid airlines will be carefully scrutinized for their fit into Star Alliance's network. Successful candidates will then enter into bilateral commercial agreements with selected Star Alliance member airlines, which may include additional Frequent Flyer Programme-based privileges. Despite their selection, successful airlines will not become a member of the Alliance itself.
“With this innovative concept, we are breaking new ground. We see a definite trend of convergence between the ‘traditional full service’ and ‘low-cost’ business models in the airline industry,” Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance, said. “At the same time, our customers are telling us that they need access to markets where we do not yet provide ideal coverage. In many cases network carriers are not in a position to fill this gap and hence working with future Connecting Partners will allow us to provide an extended network to our travellers.”
In terms of implementation, customers travelling on an itinerary, which includes a transfer between a Star Alliance member airline and a Connecting Partner, will be offered Alliance benefits such as passenger and baggage through check-in. Moreover, Star Alliance Gold Card holders will enjoy a tailored set of privileges in line with the different product offerings of the individual Connecting Partner.
Star Alliance says it hopes to have the CPM's first customers using the new offer from the third quarter of next year onwards.
For its part, Mango is the LCC subsidiary of South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) operating eleven B737-800s and two B737-300s (leased from Star Air (South Africa) (BRH, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo)) on flights throughout South Africa as well as to Zanzibar in Tanzania.
