Star Alliance has completed development of an interoperable biometric identity and identification platform that will significantly improve the travel experience for frequent flyer programme customers of Star Alliance member airlines. The Star Alliance Biometrics platform advances the vision of Star Alliance member airlines of delivering a seamless customer journey, while strengthening loyalty value proposition within its travel ecosystem. Lufthansa Group airlines and SWISS will be the first to use Star Alliance Biometrics for selected flights starting in November. Specific infrastructure is being installed at hub airports Frankfurt and Munich, reaping operational benefits at both locations. Members of the Lufthansa and SWISS Miles & More Frequent Flyer Program who opt-in to biometrics will be able to pass through both security access and boarding gates in a touchless manner, an important health and hygiene safety measure in times of COVID-19. In keeping with the requirement to wear masks in the airport terminal, it is not required to remove the mask for the biometric identity check. The identification process works for passengers wearing masks.<br/>
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Star Alliance has developed an interoperable biometric identity and identification platform for screening airport passengers. The move is expected to ensure a touchless experience for frequent flyers of Star Alliance member airlines. Built upon NEC I:Delight biometric and identity management platform software, the Star Alliance Biometrics service will enable touchless verification of passengers at security access and boarding gates. Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh said: “This is a customer-centric solution that furthers our credentials in innovation, particularly its multi-airline and multi-airport capability. Whilst it offers a seamless customer travel experience, it is also a critical development that addresses the expectation of customers for a more touchless and hygienically safer experience.” The service will be available for members of Lufthansa and SWISS Miles & More Frequent Flyer Program.<br/>
United said on Wednesday it plans to fly its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the first quarter of 2021 after the planemaker won US FAA approval for ungrounding the aircraft.<br/>
Customers are raising concerns about the possible impact of Korean Air's planned takeover of its smaller local rival Asiana Airlines as, if completed, the acquisition will grant the national flag carrier a dominant market position here that could lead to a rise in prices. Those who have used Asiana Airlines' membership reward program are also worried about the fate of their mileage points after the No. 2 carrier is acquired by Korean Air. On Monday, Korean Air and its holding company Hanjin KAL announced they would acquire the cash-strapped Asiana with the help of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB). If successful, Korea will have one mega airline that dominates the country's aviation industry and ranks within the global top 10. Given that the decision was made amid deepening financial difficulties in the aviation industry due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Korean Air is highly likely to adjust duplicate air routes between the two airlines and eliminate some that are losing money. Many consumers are expressing concerns on online communities that Korean Air, which will hold a monopoly status, could increase ticket prices while adjusting the air routes. The government stressed that customer benefits could be enhanced when air routes are adjusted. It also vowed to take appropriate measures to protect consumers. "We will offer aid in human resources required to explore new air routes or operate additional planes on existing routes, rather than focusing on removing money-losing routes," said Kim Sang-do who is in charge of aviation policies at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He noted there would be no sudden increase in ticket prices as Korean Air has to compete with foreign airlines and LCCs.<br/>
ANA Holdings said Tuesday that it will drastically reduce the number of new graduates it plans to hire for fiscal 2022 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The business conditions of the Japanese airline group have been deteriorating due to a slump in travel demand stemming from the pandemic. ANA Holdings, which usually employs around 3,000 new graduates, will hire only about 200 people for the year from April 2022. With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, the group will beef up its moves to reduce costs in order to turn around its business. Major industry rival Japan Airlines has cut recruitment activities for new graduates in fiscal 2021, now planning to hire only about 200 people, down sharply from the initially envisioned 1,700. Skymark Airlines has also suspended such activities for the year from April 2021.<br/>
Lufthansa Group has appointed three new chief executives from within its ranks to lead its Swiss, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo subsidiaries from early next year. Dieter Vranckx will take the helm at Swiss on 1 January, succeeding Thomas Kluhr who is stepping down at the end of this year. Vranckx is currently chief executive of Brussels Airlines – a role that will be filled by current Lufthansa Cargo chief Peter Gerber, who will relocate to Belgium to begin in the position on 1 March. Gerber will also take on the newly-created role of Lufthansa Group’s chief representative for European affairs. Dorothea von Boxberg will assume the role of Lufthansa Cargo CE on 1 March. Von Boxberg joined Lufthansa Group in 2007 and currently serves on the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo, where she is responsible for sales, network planning, product management and product development. Vranckx was named CE of Brussels Airlines earlier this year, prior to which he was the Belgian carrier’s CFO. He has been with Lufthansa Group since 2001. “With today’s decisions, three experienced and accomplished executives from our own ranks are taking on important management tasks in the core business of our group,” states Lufthansa Group CE Carsten Spohr.<br/>