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: