<P> On 1 April 2008, Turkish Airlines joined the alliance after a 15 - month integration process beginning in December 2006, becoming its seventh European airline and 20th member . EgyptAir, Egypt's national airline and Star Alliance's second African carrier, joined on 11 July 2008 . </P> <P> On 27 October 2009, Continental Airlines became the 25th member of Star Alliance after leaving SkyTeam three days earlier . According to alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht, "Bringing Continental Airlines into Star Alliance has been a truly unique experience . This is the first time an airline has moved directly from one alliance to another and I would like to thank all those involved in ensuring a smooth switch". At the time, it was rumored that the switch was Continental's first move in a planned merger with United Airlines . Two months later, Brussels Airlines joined the alliance . </P> <P> Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines joined Star Alliance on 13 May 2010, increasing its foothold in South America . Aegean Airlines, Greece's largest airline by number of passengers, joined on 30 June . </P> <P> Shanghai Airlines left the alliance on 31 October 2010 when it merged with China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member . On 29 September, the chief executive board approved Ethiopian Airlines as Star Alliance's 30th member . In 2010 the alliance flew to 1,172 airports in 181 countries, with about 21,200 daily departures . </P>

Is aegean airlines part of the star alliance