The Star Alliance April 10 welcomed the first African carrier to join a global airline alliance, as South African Airways became the alliance´s 18th member. Its entry came just days after Swiss became the alliance´s 17th member. Star said South African will extend the alliance´s network to 21 destinations in Africa.

Jet2, the low-cost airline, launched new flights to Rome and Milan and the service to Venice gets underway after the winter break. The airline, which now offers UK residents four city destinations to fly to in Italy, will wave goodbye to its first passengers from both Leeds Bradford and Manchester Airports to Rome and from Leeds Bradford to Venice, Rome and Milan.

Global airline technology leader Worldspan, L.P. announced that Mexicana Airlines has chosen to adopt Worldspan Rapid Reprice, the travel industry´s first and most advanced solution for repricing airline tickets when traveler itineraries change. The first tool of its kind to be deployed worldwide by major carriers, Rapid Reprice is in use by most major U.S. airlines, several of the world´s largest travel Web sites, as well as corporate travel departments and a growing number of travel agencies.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has obtained China´s approval to implement a new route for international traffic which slashes flight times between China and Europe by an average of 30 minutes. Officially known as Y-1, it is often referred to as IATA-1, reflecting IATA´s role in achieving this in cooperation with the Chinese Government. Initially 110 flights a week could potentially benefit from IATA-1.

In the wake of the commercial agreement concluded with American Airlines, Malev´s latest move in the Oneworld accession process was the signing of a multi-flight codeshare agreement with Spanish airline Iberia. From April 2006, several flights operated by the two airlines will be recoded with Malev/Iberia flight numbers, and in so doing both airlines increase the range of connections they can offer to cities in Europe.

A second airline, Continental, has signed a five-year deal with Worldspan that will give agents the “opportunity” to access the airline´s comprehensive published fares, inventory, and availability. The deal is expected to take effect this summer. Worldspan again refused to explain what it means by “opportunity,” which has left the door open to speculation that agents will be charged.