STAR ALLIANCE NEWS Celebrating 15 years of improving global air travel Croatia Airlines accomplished one of its strategic goals by joining the Star Alliance network in November 2004. Joining this prestigious alliance confirmed that Croatia Airlines operates in line with the highest international aviation standards and provides its passengers with comfortable and safe journeys to their destinations. The Star Alliance network covers regional hubs to which the Croatian market is naturally oriented, which contributes to increased competitiveness and the strengthening of Croatia Airlines’ business position. Its membership in the network enabled the company’s presence on new markets, the optimisation of its flight schedule and business network, the rationaliszation of costs and a number of other benefits, such as the use of common know-how and the IT system. The company’s network products have been improved to bring many additional values to the passengers, who are provided with services of recognizable quality and standards. In addition to new opportunities for top quality travels, our customers can choose from a large number of destinations all over the world and use our common global transportation products. Its membership in the network enabled Croatia Airlines to strengthen its position as the regional leader in South East Europe, bringing it additional global recognition through the Star Alliance brand.
Srecko Simunovic, President & CEO, Croatia Airlines STAR ALLIANCE
In 1997, Star Alliance as the first global airline alliance launched a completely new concept in
aviation. We led the field with ideas that improved services for our passengers globally. Our airlines moved closer together in airports, IT systems were tailored to enable seamless travel and countless smaller and larger projects made travel easier and smoother. There’s been a lot of change in aviation in the last 15 years — a whole business segment has emerged with the low-cost carriers, we have a new generation of huge widebodies, we suffered the effects and after-effects of 9/11 and we have learned to cope with disruption from events as diverse as volcanic ash and political revolution in our carriers’ home countries. Star Alliance has remained relevant throughout — for its member airlines, and most importantly, for its passengers. To maintain our relevance, we must ensure that we remain ahead of the curve, innovating to meet the ever-changing demands of the global frequent traveller. Croatia Airlines employees are among over 400,000 staff across the Alliance working daily with individual passengers to deliver on the fundamental promise of seamless travel. I should like to thank you for your part in the success story that is Star Alliance.
Mark Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of Star Alliance