One of Russia’s leading airline groups has been boosted by the inclusion into the global Star Alliance code-sharing network. The Air Union group includes Krasair and Samara airlines.
Another airline GTK Rossiya is also in talks with Star Alliance, along with rival networks SkyTeam and OneWorld. Experts told Kommersant Daily that foreign firms are keen to forge links with state-backed Russian airlines to limit any problems with the country's aviation authorities. Lufthansa Cargo is in the midst of airspace dispute with Russia.