SkyTeam NewsFlash – October 2009

SkyTeam is a global airline alliance partnering nine members – Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Korean Air – and two Associate carriers – Air Europa and Kenya Airways. Issued monthly, SkyTeam NewsFlash provides media with key updates and insights on alliance activities.

SkyTeam Provides Final Update on Continental/Copa and Outlines Future Initiatives

As previously announced, Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines will exit SkyTeam on 24 October 2009, the last day for SkyTeam customers to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and have their status recognized by Continental/Copa. SkyTeam continues to maintain transparency and communication to ensure the transition process is smooth and professional for both its passengers and member airlines.

With the upcoming departures of airline member, Continental Airlines, and Associate, Copa Airlines, SkyTeam passengers will experience minimal changes to their travel experiences and will continue to enjoy the high-quality service they have come to know and expect from SkyTeam alliance members.

The SkyTeam network itself is minimally impacted, as the network strength of member Delta Air Lines covers 90 percent of markets covered by Continental. Additionally, Aeroméxico, Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM all serve multiple Latin American destinations from North America and Europe.

As an alliance, SkyTeam will offer its 384 million annual passengers a worldwide system of 13,133 daily flights covering 856 destinations in 169 countries. Passengers can also expect bolstered service to certain regions, including Asia Pacific, with upcoming summer schedule announcements from SkyTeam member airlines.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

With exciting initiatives such as the inauguration of a dedicated management entity and Amsterdam headquarter office, debut of the SkyTeam livery on member airlines’ aircrafts, and the pending completion of the alliance’s co-location facility at Terminal 4 at London Heathrow International Airport, 2009 has been a busy year for SkyTeam.

The alliance will only continue its momentum with the following exciting upcoming initiatives in 2010 and beyond:

• New members – Pending fulfillment of alliance requirements, Vietnam Airlines and Tarom are slated to join the alliance around June 2010 as member and Associate airlines, respectively. The addition of these carriers will enhance the alliance’s network and provide greater options for SkyTeam passengers in key markets. SkyTeam continues to consider new members in Latin America and the Asia Pacific regions.
• Expanded co-location network – SkyTeam continues to evaluate and invest in shared airport facilities to provide passengers with airport service enhancements and its members with increased efficiencies. In addition to London Heathrow, Moscow Sheremetyevo and Barcelona Airport, SkyTeam will aggressively enhance its co-location network in additional airports in 2010 and beyond.
• Management priorities – With the management entity and official Amsterdam headquarters officially up and running, SkyTeam’s dedicated staff will push forward vital initiatives that will drive deeper levels of collaboration among its members to more efficiently move its passengers around the world.
• 10th anniversary – With this milestone anniversary approaching in June 2010, SkyTeam is planning some special initiatives to commemorate accomplishments achieved to-date as well as outline and share plans of the alliance’s vision for the future.