Air India 777-200LR. Photo: Courtesy, Boeing.

Air India, Star Alliance and senior officials from the Indian government and the Civil Aviation Authority are scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the progress of the carrier's induction into the alliance. The meeting is part of the routine integration process, a Star spokesperson told ATW, stressing the grouping is sticking to its July 31 deadline to finalize the formal integration of the carrier. He added that "progress had been made but, yes, there are still outstanding issues. We will probably know more after the meeting. Decisions will be made."

In May, Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht told ATW that AI has until July 31 to fulfill the requirements to join the airline grouping or the carrier's invitation would be withdrawn. "The process for AI to fulfill its requirements has now taken nearly four years," he noted. "We will not extend this deadline anymore. One day there must be a final point."

Last month, following a meeting of the Star Alliance Chief Executives Board in Barcelona, Chairman and MD Arvind Jadhav stated, "Air India is looking forward to join Star Alliance, as scheduled."

AI was originally slated to join Star in 2010 but has had trouble meeting the alliance's membership standards regarding IT systems and other areas. The state-owned carrier has struggled financially in recent years and is attempting to gain the backing of Indian bankers for a comprehensive restructuring plan.