In a not too unexpected move, Shanghai Airlines will be leaving Star Alliance.
Recently, Shanghai Airlines have merged with China Eastern Airlines – who themselves are joining SkyTeam and as such keeping one airline in two alliances is a no-no.
This opens up one hell of a hole in China for Star Alliance and leaves Air China as the sole partner within China, and a bigger hole of comparatively limited coverage at Shanghai-PuDong/Shanghai Hongqiao.
Both Star Alliance and Shanghai Airlines have agreed to terminate it’s membership by 31 October 2010, marking the end of 3 years of membership.
Whilst not the shortest membership of Star Alliance, it is damaging enough – and will force Star to find a new partner out in the area.
