SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, CSA, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, 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.


Associate Spotlight: Kenya Airways

Last month, SkyTeam welcomed Kenya Airways, Copa Airlines and Air Europa as the alliance's first official Associate carriers. The SkyTeam Associate Program was launched to serve carriers in strategic regions who are interested in becoming affiliated with SkyTeam and its alliance benefits. Passengers traveling with an Associate carrier receive the same benefits offered to passengers traveling with the 10 current SkyTeam member airlines, including frequent flyer programs and improved access to airport lounges.

Over the next three months, we will offer an in-depth look at each of the three Associate carriers. We will begin this month with Kenya Airways (KQ).

Q: SkyTeam is truly excited about the addition of the three Associates, particularly the opportunity to expand its network for its passengers. What new routes does Kenya Airways bring to SkyTeam's network?

A: Kenya Airways has an extensive regional network, offering numerous departures from highly trafficked cities. KQ also provides service to local destinations that are not commonly offered by the larger international carriers, such as Mombasa and Bujumbura.

As an Associate carrier, KQ brings new routes and greater frequencies to the alliance, serving 43 destinations in 36 countries - 25 of which are African countries. Of those destinations, Harare, Zimbabwe, a trade center in Africa, and Kisumu, Kenya, a city in western Kenya, are both new to the SkyTeam network.

Kenya Airways also offers departures from hub destinations, such as London, Paris and Amsterdam. In Asia, Kenya serves Bangkok, as well as Seoul through a codeshare with Korean Air.

Q: One of the benefits of the alliance is that passengers have more choices when it comes to flights. What destinations does Kenya Airways serve more frequently than other SkyTeam carriers?

A: Obviously, since Kenya Airways is based on the continent, we serve most African countries more often than other SkyTeam carriers. For example, Kenya Airways has frequent flights to Lubumbashi and Kinshasa, two cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kinshasa (formerly Léopoldville) is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a population of about 7.5 million, it vies with Johannesburg for the status of the second largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Lagos. Lubumbashi is ranked as the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is the hub of the southeastern part of the country. Kenya Airways flies six times a week to Kinshasa and also flies four times a week to the Eastern city of Lubumbashi in the Katanga region.

Q: How does Kenya Airways benefit from being an Associate Airline in the SkyTeam alliance?

A: By becoming a SkyTeam Associate carrier, Kenya Airways receives stronger brand awareness and better brand positioning internationally. SkyTeam operates in most major markets around the world and currently enjoys a broad and loyal customer base, with more than 376 million passengers annually.

As a part of SkyTeam, the alliance's worldwide base of customers will be more familiarized with Kenya Airway's strengths and product offerings and will have increased access to our networks through the existing members of the alliance. With additional traffic through code shares and new cost saving options through interline e-ticketing, Kenya Airways will continue to benefit from being a SkyTeam Associate carrier.

Q: How do Kenya Airways' customers benefit from the airline becoming an Associate carrier with SkyTeam?

A: Kenya Airways' customers benefit not only through access to an extensive global network, but also have the full benefits enjoyed by SkyTeam alliance passengers. These include access to SkyTeam lounges and the ability to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by all SkyTeam carriers. As additional upgrades are made, passengers will continue to see the benefits of the SkyTeam partnership when traveling with Kenya Airways.

Kenya Airways, founded in 1977, is the national airline of Kenya, based in Nairobi, Africa. The airline, the largest in Kenya, operates more transcontinental flights than any other African airline. In 2006, 2.6 million passengers were served on the 80 flights operated daily. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the hub airport for Kenya Airways.