Legacy carriers have long struggled to find an answer to the threat of fast-growing carriers such as the Big Three Persian Gulf airlines and Turkish. "If you can't beat them, join them," has been one answer. But in at least one prominent case, that strategy appears not to have worked out. In a stunning move-given that the two airlines once had a close alliance relationship-Lufthansa terminated its code-sharing agreement with Turkish Airlines, effective March 31, 2014. While there will still be frequent-Jier reciprocity between the two airlines-as required by Star Alliance rules-the terms are being cut back and will be much less attractive to travelers.
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