Air India has today become the 27th member of Star Alliance.
The carrier’s membership was confirmed last month and becomes the first Indian airline to join a global alliance.
Air India will add 400 daily flights and more than 40 new destinations in India to the Alliance network. The biggest growth will come from its home market which has up to now been served by 13 Star Alliance members flying to 10 destinations and holding a 13 per cent market share.
Star Alliance chief executive Mark Schwab said: "This is an important day for us. We have said for many years that we needed a strong home carrier in the Indian market and by welcoming Air India to our Star Alliance family, we have achieved this goal.
"We know that the 'new' Air India is looking forward to providing the Star Alliance customer benefits to many more travellers."
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. The induction process finally recommenced at the end of last year.
AirIndia.com