Star Alliance Partner Pitches In To Help United

United Airlines today announced its Star Alliance partner Lufthansa German Airlines will join in a new revenue sharing program, adding a new level of cooperation to their existing codeshare agreement.

Lufthansa beginning in 2003 will share with United revenue and align pricing and sales strategies on North Atlantic flights. Additionally, the two carriers will cooperate on scheduling, customer service and marketing to enable easier connections between the airlines and an e-ticketing alliance. The partnership will save United an estimated $90 million annually, officials said.

The European Commission last month also granted United the same privileges with Scandinavian Airlines System. Earlier this month, the chief executive of Singapore Airlines, also a Star Alliance member, suggested his airline also could assist United.

"This new level of cooperation with Lufthansa is a critical component in United's recovery because of the additional revenue it will generate for both carriers," said Graham Atkinson, United senior vice president of international.

United remains just three weeks away from a Dec. 2 deadline to make a $375 million debt payment.