| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 28 |
| Copyright: Other |
Alliance update
SkyTeam defends decision to set up new four-airline alliance
Report by PAULNORRIS in Paris
SKYTEAM – the new global airline alliance led by Air France and Delta – has dismissed criticism it is too smallThe group, which also includes Korean Air and AeroMexico, says a decision to wait before formally announcing the partnership means they have an advantage over older, larger rivals Star Alliance, Oneworld, Qualiflyer and Wings. Delta’s vice-president Europe Stephan Egli said SkyTeam was deliberately formed of the four airlines so it could immediately meet the needs of the majority of important global passengers.
“In SkyTeam we cover 80% of the most important traffic routes in the world and do not overlap,” he said.
Egli said between Delta and Air France and their two partners Korean Air and AeroMexico, key routes between Europe and the US and in Asia and Latin America were covered.
He dismissed the size of Star Alliance or Oneworld as being irrelevant for global coverage as many of their carriers overlap on routes.
Star Alliance boasts 15 airlines, while Oneworld has eight but both are set for expansion.
However, SkyTeam is also expected to expand in the future to between eight to 10 airlines. CSA Czech Airlines, Alitalia and Continental Airlines have been tipped to join.
Egli said smaller regional airlines like Air France partner British European may in the future be a feeder airline into the global alliance.
AeroMexico chief executive and chairman Alfonso Pascal said the small size of SkyTeam meant the partners could already look for the same standard of service on each airline.
He added that joint check-ins and transfers at airports were also planned for the near future.
The airlines are also looking at joint sales and marketing activities worldwide.