Varig, once the international airline of Brazil, but now a pale shadow of its former self, is to leave the Star Alliance at the end of January, no longer fulfilling the pre-requisites for membership. Star says that its member carriers will ensure that the impact of this decision on international travellers will be kept to a minimum.
”In order to deliver the Star Alliance benefits, products and services to customers around the globe on a consistent basis, our member carriers work to certain standards and processes. Unfortunately, ”old” Varig will no longer operate as a network airline and will therefore have to give up its membership in the alliance,” said Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht.
”Star Alliance continues to offer the most intercontinental flights serving more cities in Brazil than any other alliance and will continue to expand its services in this important and growing aviation market,” he added.
Star Alliance member carriers Air Canada, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Swiss, Tap Portugal and United together provide more than 270 weekly flights to Africa, Europe and North America from six destinations in Brazil. In parallel the alliance is exploring various options to secure a wider presence in the region.