Star Alliance has today confirmed it has approved the membership of Air India.
The national carrier will officially become a member of the alliance from July 11.
The agreement means Air Indian will become the first Indian carrier to join a global airline alliance.
"We restarted the re-integration with Air India in December last year and just half a year later we are ready to confirm the official joining date,” said Star Alliance COO Jeffrey Goh.
“We look forward to welcoming Air India passengers to our global network and offering them our Alliance benefits. At the same time we are pleased to be providing our existing customers improved access to a region which includes the world's fifth largest domestic aviation market".
The carrier's planned entry into the alliance was first announced in 2007 and had been due to complete in 2010.
However, Air India was unable to meet the minimum terms required by Star Alliance and the process was halted in 2011
Yesterday, Star Alliance executives met with Air India officials in London and agreed that the airline will become its 27th member.
Rohit Nandan, Air India's chairman and managing director, said: "Air India worked hard to meet the exacting expectations prior to joining and today, we are elated to be inducted into the Star Alliance family.
"It is indeed an honour and privilege to be the first airline from India to join the alliance. We eagerly look forward to extending the benefits and privileges of Star Alliance to passengers from July 11."
Airindia.com
Staralliance.com