If you have been following the various interviews from Star Alliance executives, you would know that Star usually only referred to India and Russia as remaining white spots. When asked about Australia, they would never say it was a white spot. They would usually say all its international airports were effectively covered by members. Over the last year, they have gained Air India but lost Tam. According to this article (in Portuguese), Star now identifies Brazil, Russia and for the first time Australia as white spots and they are trying to fill the blanks.
Mercado e Eventos | Notícia > Mais um membro: Azul é principal aposta para integrar Star Alliance
This may be nothing to you but I sense a very obvious change of tones. With VA refusing to participate in Etihad Partners and the introduction of points conversion to SQ, can we read between the lines that Star and VA have the potential to start conversations? VA continues to push back long range aircraft orders which means they will need more partners and destinations to raise their profile to effectively compete with QF and oneworld in long haul routes.
Mercado e Eventos | Notícia > Mais um membro: Azul é principal aposta para integrar Star Alliance
This may be nothing to you but I sense a very obvious change of tones. With VA refusing to participate in Etihad Partners and the introduction of points conversion to SQ, can we read between the lines that Star and VA have the potential to start conversations? VA continues to push back long range aircraft orders which means they will need more partners and destinations to raise their profile to effectively compete with QF and oneworld in long haul routes.