STAR ALLIANCE has confirmed that Finnish airline Blue1 has joined the alliance as its first regional member. In order to qualify under this category, aside from meeting certain requirements, the prospective carrier must be sponsored by and have close ties to an existing Star partner to achieve a quick and easy integration. The sponsoring airline represents the regional member. Blue1 is owned by Star Alliance member SAS. It operates more than 110 flights per day and is expected to carry more than 1.1m passengers in 2004. Blue 1 has a fleet of nine Avro RJ and five Saab 2000 aircraft. Adria Airways and Croatia Airlines have also been approved for regional membership. Joining dates for those two airlines have yet to be finalised.
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