bmi’s exit from Star Alliance has a minor effect but potential departure by TAP will be more felt

Bmi's exit from Star Alliance has only a minor effect on the group's global footprint, but a potential departure from TAP Portugal would leave a much larger mark on Star's connectivity especially in the Iberian peninsula, where it already lost Spanair in Jan-2012. TAP, which has an extensive network in South America and Africa that would appeal to any global alliance, is slated to be sold off by the Portuguese government later this year. If TAP were to be sold to a non-Star affiliate, such as International Airlines Group (IAG), it stands to lose three European members in 2012.

Bmi formally exited the Star Alliance network on 20-Apr-2012 following the conclusion of the sale of the UK-based carrier to IAG. Star carriers are in the process of ending their codeshare agreements with bmi as principally Star Alliance does not allow a member airline to codeshare with a member of another alliance although some exceptions are permitted with Star Alliance authorisation.