Taipei-based carrier EVA Airways will sign on the dotted line to join Star Alliance today.

An EVA Airways spokesman confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that the airline will formally announce its membership at a joint press conference to be held with Star Alliance in Taipei this morning, March 29.

However, EVA won't be counted as an active member of Star Alliance – with reciprocal point sharing through EVA's Evergreen Club, lounge access and other alliance perks – until the middle of next year.

"There's a lot of integration to be done in our systems, that all has to take place before we are a full member of Star Alliance, which we expect to happen in the second quarter of 2013" the spokesman told Australian Business Traveller.

EVA is Taiwan's second-largest carrier behind China Airlines, which recently joined SkyTeam. EVA counts Brisbane as its sole Australian port, with twice-weekly flights between Brisbane and Taipei.

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