Star Alliance has recently decided to adapt a new working structure, as part of which the current regional membership category will no longer exist as of January 2010. This decision was brought about in part by the current expansion plans – Continental Airlines having been integrated in October and Brussels Airlines is joining in December 2009, followed by Aegean Airlines (Greece), Air India and TAM (Brazil) next year – as well as by changing needs and requirements of existing member carriers.
Adria Airways has been a regional member of the Star Alliance network since December 15, 2004. As part of the new membership structure and having successfully maintained the high standards set forth by the Star Alliance, Adria Airways, along with the other two regional member carriers Blue1 and Croatia Airlines are now transitioning to become full Star Alliance member carriers. The most visible signs of this change will be in branding, where the tag line “A Regional Star Alliance Member” will no longer be used. Adria Airways will progressively be rolling out the traditional Star Alliance brand. This includes changes to airport signage, in-flight announcements as well as the Star Alliance logo displayed on aircraft. Moreover, all three carriers will be given more brand exposure, as their logos will in future be featured on the Star Alliance logo stack, which lists all member carriers.
“Becoming a full member of Star Alliance is testament to the successful development of our airline, “ said President and CEO Tadej Tufek, M.Sc. “ It is a great honour for Adria Airways to become an equal partner to airlines such as Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, THAI and others.”