EVA Air to join Star Alliance in June

Taipei, April 20 (CNA) Taiwan's EVA Airways Corp. said Saturday it will become a full member of Star Alliance on June 18, which will allow the airline to offer its customers access to a global network of more than 1,300 destinations.

EVA Air and Star Alliance signed an agreement in Taipei last year to mark EVA's acceptance as a future member of the world's largest airline network. Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab attended the signing ceremony.

Star Alliance, SkyTeam Alliance and Oneworld are the three largest passenger airline strategic alliances in the world.

Taiwan's biggest air carrier China Airlines (CAL) officially joined SkyTeam Alliance in September 2011, becoming its 15th member.

The forging of an airline strategic alliance aims to provide passengers bigger and better air services, more flexible flight planning and convenient transit services. This could also allow airlines to cut operating costs through resources sharing.

Star Alliance was established in May 1997 and has been aggressively expanding its network in the Asia Pacific region in recent years. It is expected to have eight member airlines in the region, including EVA Air.

EVA Air, Taiwan's second biggest carrier, has a global destination network that stretches from Asia to Europe, North America and Oceania, linking more than 60 cities.

After it joins Star Alliance, a network of 30 airlines comprising 26 current and four future members, EVA Air will be able to offer its customers access to 1,345 destinations in 191 countries.