UP TO four places are left within Star Alliance before it is considered to be complete.
The admission of Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia, formally made last Monday in Sydney, brings the group to eight airlines.
Lufthansa, United Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Canada and SASfounded Star Alliance in May 1997. Varig joined later that year.
The ninth entrant will be All Nippon Airways on October 19.
Singapore Airlines is also due to sign up to the Star Alliance before the end of the year.
Other hotly tipped candidates are South African Airways and British Midland. Lufthansa and SIA are bidding for a stake in SAA.
The group is hopeful of gaining a foothold in the potentially lucrative Chinese market. It is talking to Chinese carriers and Air China is considered favourite to join the alliance.
Ansett executive chairman Rod Eddington said the airline expected revenue benefits from joining Star Alliance, but it was also good for the trade as the carrier would be more able to compete with Qantas.