NEW DELHI, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Mark Schwab, chief executive officer of the Star Alliance airline coalition said Air India was on track to join the group this year.
"I think by this summer the work should be complete. We have identified some requirements. For example, the airline's staff needs to be trained to Star Alliance standards and that will take some time," Schwab said.
Schwab also said that the Star Alliance "over the past few years ... has brought down some of its membership requirements and Air India has done a lot of work to fulfill those requirements."
The Economic Times reported Tuesday that Air India, the country's national carrier, would become the first airline from India to join a global airline federation.
The Star Alliance, which currently has 28 members, is a commercial federation that tries to create smoother transitions from one airline to another for travelers. Membership in the association requires airlines to meet various customer service and safety standards.
Air India said about 8,000 ground crew and flight attendants will be retrained to meet the Star Alliance requirements, the Economic Times said.
The airline's Chairman Rohit Nandan said meeting some of the requirements took time.
"Upgrading the IT systems, for example, was pending for a long time," Nandan said. "Similarly, improving our customer service is very important as there is always room for improvement," he said.
"Joining Star Alliance now gives us a deadline to complete all such works," he added.
