Qualiflyer is grounded

ZURICH - A decision to disband by the seven-member European airline alliance, Qualiflyer Group, is likely to interest the world's three major airline alliances, Star, oneworld and Skyteam.

Qualiflyer, led by failed Swiss carrier, Swissair, is made up of DAT Belgian, Crossair, TAP Portugal, LOT Polish, Portugalia and Volare, the Italian carrier.

A spokesman for Crossair, which is to succeed Swissair at the end of March under the title SWISS, said passengers who have earned existing air miles under the Qualiflyer scheme will be able to use them.

Qualiflyer's exit leaves three alliances, all dominated by major airlines. Of the Qualiflyer airlines, the new SWISS carrier, TAP Portugal and LOT Polish could find themselves being courted to join one of the big three.