Juneyao Airlines To Join Star Alliance

China’s Juneyao Airlines will join the Star Alliance as a connecting partner in 2017, the global airline alliance said in Shanghai.

Under the agreement, Juneyao will offer through check-in, lounge access and other privileges to qualifying passengers on other Star Alliance member airlines.

The connecting partner model is designed to allow airlines to connect to the network without having to become a full member.

Star Alliance chief executive Mark Schwab said “Juneyao Airlines is a terrific addition to our network proposition in China and particularly in the Shanghai market.

“From the beginning of our conversations we were impressed by the carrier’s professionalism and operational efficiencies, Schwab added.

Star Alliance member airlines operate about 1,600 weekly flights at Shanghai airports Pudong and Hongqiao, where Juneyao has hubs.

“We look forward to welcoming connecting passengers from Star Alliance on our airline in the near future”, Juneyao’s chairman Wang Junjin said in a statement.

Star Alliance has 28 member airlines, prior to the admission of Juneyao.