 | SkyTeam HeadlinesSkyTeam Steering Committee Welcomes Aeroflot’s Bid for MembershipNEW YORK, January 29, 2004 - During their quarterly meeting today, the SkyTeam Steering Committee confirmed their decision to welcome Aeroflot's bid for membership in the alliance. SkyTeam constantly considers prospective members that can offer customers greater convenience and extend the alliance's global network. With 108 destinations in 54 countries, Aeroflot's addition to the alliance would only enhance the opportunity for SkyTeam passengers to access new destinations in Eastern Europe and beyond. Aeroflot's entrance into the alliance is contingent upon approval from the Russian government and the fulfilment of quality standards required by SkyTeam for all members. "Given Aeroflot's extensive hub network and existing bilateral relationships with two SkyTeam members, the carrier is a natural candidate for membership in SkyTeam, which has the leading hub network of any global airline alliance," said Dominique Patry, VP Alliances & International Affairs at Air France. "We look forward to further discussions once we receive the airline's formal decision." SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 212 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 7,600 daily flights covering all major destinations. In 2002, Global Finance magazine named SkyTeam the best airline in their list of the "Best Global Companies." Visit SkyTeam on the Web at www.skyteam.com. |   |
