Star Alliance has again been named the World’s Leading Airline Alliance in the annual World Travel Awards. The annual awards cover multiple categories and are awarded based on a worldwide poll of qualified executives working within travel and tourism, and the consumer travel buyer. The awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. Earlier, the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) repeated in its selection as North America’s Leading Airport Lounge by the World Travel Awards. The Star Alliance lounge at LAX is one of six such lounges globally. “We are grateful for the continued recognition from travel and tourism executives and from the World Travel Awards organisation,” said Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Star Alliance, adding “I accept this award on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated employees of the 26 member airlines of the Alliance, who work tirelessly to provide an unparalleled customer travel experience.” Continued Goh, “Our unrelenting focus on improving the customer journey is evident by the continued recognition of the Alliance and of its member airlines. All of us are working flat-out, along with other industry experts and partners, to reconnect the world and fully restore global travel.” Graham E. Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “Star Alliance continues to set the benchmark for global aviation and I am delighted that both the travel trade and the public have acknowledged this excellence by voting it ‘World’s Leading Airline Alliance 2021’. Star Alliance member airlines have also enjoyed a strong showing in our 2021 programme, winning 18 awards at regional level, plus 7 prestigious World awards. Their momentum going into 2022 is an inspiration to us all.”<br/>
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The Portuguese government is confident the EC will approve a E3.2b restructuring plan for the ailing airline TAP by Christmas and is preparing to inject more funds, Finance Minister Joao Leao said on Thursday. "The process is in its final phase. We are confident, we expect that it can be approved by Christmas," Leao told Reuters. If Brussels rejects the plan, the company, which is 72.5% controlled by the Portuguese state, would have to immediately repay rescue loans already provided by the state, which would lead to its insolvency. EU antitrust regulators have been examining since mid-July whether the plan, which involves around 2,000 job cuts and pay cuts of up to 25%, is proportionate and complies with state aid rules, and whether it affects competition.Out of the E3.2b rescue package requested by Lisbon, the government has already lent the airline E1.7b. Leao said he expected to lend TAP "500 million euros this year and then around 1 billion euros next year." In May, the European Union's second-highest court upheld Ryanair's fight against a E1.2b rescue loan TAP received in 2020 with the EC's blessing, on the grounds that the Commission failed to justify the huge cash injection. <br/>