THE SKIES are changing for business travellers.

Whereas just five years ago the likes of Lufthansa and the Austrian Airlines Group - incorporating Lauda-air - would vie for each others' blood, today they are working in partnership.

Together with most of the world's airlines, the aforementioned flight specialists have formed an alliance - the Star Alliance -together with a further 11 companies.

The aim is to offer international business travellers a more streamlined service that enables them to transfer between airlines within the alliance with the minimum of fuss.

Baggage, for instance, follows the traveller from airline to airline, automatically eliminating the need for them to collect their belongings and lug them to the next check-in desk.

Passengers also benefit from lounge access and priority status.

And with regular flights from Manchester Airport, travellers in Bolton are well-placed to take advantage of it.

According to a report in the Financial Times, the Star Alliance is the most stable of the world's airline gatherings.

It includes Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, All Nippon Airways, The Austrian Airlines Group, Lufthansa, Mexicana Airlines, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, Varig and, more recently, British Midland.

The 13-member strong alliance has grown rapidly since it was originally formed in May 1997 when Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and United Airways came together.

Since then it has grown into the largest alliance in the world with more than 290 million customers each year allowing each of the airlines involved to tap into a world-wide network of flights.

Each of the airlines have retained their own identity, however.

Lauda-air offers its passengers an excellent range of food by top world caterers Do & Co while Lufthansa, the largest airline in Germany, offers cut-price tickets on the Internet via an auction.

Throughout August on every Monday night, first and business class tickets flying from Manchester go up for grabs with bidding starting at £450 for first class flights, £300 for business and £10 for economy at www.lufthansa.co.uk between six and seven o'clock.

For more details on the Star Alliance and booking facilities go to www.star-alliance.com SIDE-BAR The Star Alliance

Its brief history May 14, 1997: Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and United Airlines launch the Star Alliance network

September 1997 Air Canada and SAS begin code-share flights

October 26, 1997: VARIG Brazilian Airlines joins the Star Alliance network

October 22, 1998: All Nippon Airways gains Observer status with the Star Alliance Network, with plans to become a full member in October 1999

March 28, 1999: Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand join the Star Alliance network

July 1999: Mexicana gains Observer status with the Star Alliance network to join in the year 2000

September 1999: The Austrian Airlines Board of Directors decides to apply for membership in the Star Alliance network in 2000.

October 1999: Opening of a Star Alliance City Office in Paris, France.

October 15, 1999: ANA joins the Star Alliance network and Singapore Airlines officially gains Observer status.

November 1999: British Midland gains Observer Status to join Star Alliance in 2000.

March 2000: The Austrian Airlines Group, comprising Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways becomes the 10th member of Star Alliance.

April 2000: Singapore Airlines joins Star Alliance

July 1, 2000: British Midland and Mexicana Airlines become the latest Star Alliance members. Frankfurt attracts

visitors from all

over the world THE STAR Alliance operates trips to Frankfurt one of the main business hubs in Europe.

More than 30 international trade fairs are held in the large skyscraper laden city each year attracting people from all over the world.

They have been a part of the city for more than 750 years and is due to Frankfurt being in a central location and possessing modern infrastructure.

Frankfurt is a money metropolis and has 420 financial institutions, the German Federal Bank and the European Central Bank.

It is no surprise, then, that the city has the most profitable shopping promenade in Europe.

The Airport is a hub of international air traffic - more than a million visitors pass through every year.

It has two railway stations for passengers to travel into Frankfurt or other cities in the Rhein-Main area.

Lufthansa fares from Manchester to Frankfurt in August for business class costs £583.80 including taxes. Leisure fares are £152.80 including taxes and requires the visitor to stay for one Saturday night.

Call Lufthansa reservations on 0845 7737 747.