STAFF working for the Star Alliance members should not fear for their jobs because of rationalisation, United Airlines chairman and chief executive Gerry Greenwald has said.
Greenwald claimed the success of the two-year-old alliance hinged on its workers.
“Our alliance requires the goodwill of employees and we do not want them to fear for their jobs,” he stressed.
Staff within Star Alliance airlines have expressed concern that their roles may be taken by the dominant regional player – Lufthansa in Europe and United in the US, for example.
However, Lufthansa chairman and chief executive Jurgen Weber added: “All the presidents of the airlines have given their assurances on jobs.”
Lufthansa and Scandinavian carrier SAS have merged their operations in Germany and in Scandinavian countries without job losses.
“They are happy and have increased support for us and Star Alliance,” said Weber.
Lufthansa and United are due to merge sales teams in the UK but no date has been set.
Star Alliance already has a joint city ticket office in London and sales teams are working together to cut out any competition between each other.
Greenwald said there were no plans for a joint Star Alliance London office, as Qualiflyer is planning, but sales and marketing teams would co-operate more where possible.