Tuesday, November 15 2005 14:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Air Sahara today (Nov 15, 2005) entered the American airline market through a code sharing arrangement with American Airlines (AA).

The arrangement will formally take off with AA's inaugural Chicago-New Delhi non-stop service.

The two airlines have agreed on a reciprocal frequent flyer programme. Apart from this, both AA and Air Sahara will be putting on their codes in India, the transatlantic flights between New Delhi and Chicago, and beyond.

For instance, AA will have its code on Air Sahara's 26 destinations in India including New Delhi and Air Sahara in turn will have its S2 code on American flights over the transatlantic to Chicago and beyond.

"Our agreements with Air Sahara will broaden American's network in South Asia and will position AA to compete very effectively in this region," Henry Joyner, AA's Senior Vice President for Planning remarked recently.

The Office of Secretary in the Department of Transportation (DOT) had given the final consent on November 8 to a filing on October 3 for approval of Code Share.

The DOT has made a mention of both United Airlines and Continental filing an abbreviated application regarding Air Sahara's operations and management. But what is being emphasised is that neither United nor Continental opposed the application and had no comment on a supplemental filing.

The DOT ruled in the favour of Air Sahara as it pertained to ownership and control of the airline. "We find that a waiver of our ownership and control standard is justified in this case as there is nothing in the ownership and control of the carrier that would be inimical to US aviation policy or interests", the approval notice read.

Further it was pointed out that the FAA had advised the DOT that it knew of 'no reason why we should act unfavourably' on the application of Air Sahara.

As a promotional offer, AA said its 'Advantage members' could earn an additional 7,500 bonus miles on select economy class fares or 15,000 bonus miles in First Class for round-trip travel on the non-stop service completed between Chicago and Delhi, through February 15, 2006.