The three major global airline alliances aren't for everyone, including several airlines represented at this week's Phoenix Aviation Symposium. Representatives from those carriers pointed to the costs associated with alliance participation, tech challenges and other concerns.
Continental Airlines was granted limited antitrust immunity today by the U.S. Department of Transportation -- a move that will allow it to join United Airlines and other airlines in the Star Alliance in creating schedules and determining fares.
The order did, however, set limits on the antitrust immunity in regards to some international routes.
Though it has already been years in the making,
a ubiquitous, common IT platform for the Star Alliance is one step closer to reality now that system provider Amadeus announced a 10-year pact with SAS Group. Though not the largest, SAS is a cog in Star. Skepticism regarding Amadeus' ability to actually bring Star founder United Airlines into the common IT fold was somewhat lessened when vice president of strategic airline and partner programs
Hans Jorgensen in March told
The Beat that United's planned migration to the system still is on track.
