SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines, sets itself apart by offering an exclusive experience for all passengers. Issued monthly, SkyTeam NewsFlash provides media with key updates and insights on alliance activities.

SkyTeam on track to meet IATA Interline E-Ticketing deadline
Last month, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) set a deadline for all airlines to have 100 percent interline e-ticketing (IET) by May 31, 2008. As of July, SkyTeam is well on track to complete all bilateral implementations between all current carriers. At the same time, the alliance is working to complete the GDS aspect of IET, including the link ups between airlines and third-party retailers, such as travel agents, who sell travel options.

IET allows passengers to manage flights with ease – especially when traveling on multiple SkyTeam partners during the same itinerary. From last-minute ticket changes handled over the phone to flight check-in via kiosks or the Internet, IET benefits will further enhance the level of service passengers receive when traveling to any of SkyTeam’s 744 destinations.

In March 2007, Aeroflot, the newest member of the alliance, was given approval by the Russian government to implement IET, allowing the final link among SkyTeam members. At the conclusion of 2007, Aeroflot, along with all current SkyTeam members, will have successfully implemented IET – well in advance of the IATA deadline.

In addition, three Associate airline candidates and China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People’s Republic of China, are prepared to join the alliance by the end of this year. Once official partners, the Associate carriers, Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways, and China Southern will then work to complete IET connections with all SkyTeam members prior to May 2008.

"Having complete IET will enhance the process in which SkyTeam carriers, and their systems, currently communicate with each other," said Mr. Chul Woo Kim, vice president, Korean Air, and SkyTeam Customer System Team manager. "This in turn will benefit SkyTeam’s customers, as IET will help to make connections between different airlines smoother and easier."

Disclaimer – A small number of airports, who use ground handling agents to manage operations, have yet to install the appropriate technology. SkyTeam will provide IET to them as soon as these airports are equipped.


SkyTeam Sponsors NBTA Convention
SkyTeam is proud to join the National Business Traveler Association’s (NBTA) 2007 Annual Conference as a Diamond Super Sponsor. Held July 22-25 in Boston, Mass., the NBTA Convention is known as the premier event in business travel and is widely recognized as the must-attend event for travel buyers, industry leaders and business travel journalists. SkyTeam will have a substantial presence at the exposition at booth 1012, with representatives from all 10 member airlines.

SkyTeam kicked off the NBTA Convention by hosting the CPC dinner for Chapter Presidents on Saturday, July 21, which was held at the Boston JFK Center Library & Museum. Nearly 100 senior executives and representatives from the business travel industry, including 20 SkyTeam executives, were in attendance. Additional highlights at the convention include a panel on the future of airline alliances in relation to global corporate contracts, featuring John Caldwell, managing director, corporate and agency sales – North America of Northwest/KLM Airlines. Held on Wednesday, July 25 at 1:15 p.m., this event will be an informative and insightful discussion on the quality of airline alliance contracts and its impact on the industry.