Amsterdam, 19 October 2010 – Aerolíneas Argentinas, the flag carrier of Argentina, will sign an agreement by the end of October to officially start the process of joining SkyTeam as the first South American member of the airline alliance. Customers will benefit from increased access to and from Latin America.

SkyTeam is actively working to strengthen its presence in Latin America, a region with strong growth figures and a positive outlook for the future. Aerolíneas Argentinas, which is expected to join SkyTeam in 2012, fits perfectly in SkyTeam’s growth strategy. Welcoming the first South American airline to become a full member is a significant step towards enhancing the global network of the alliance. Aerolíneas Argentinas initiated a long-term plan to expand and revitalize its business.

Through a five-year restructuring plan introduced last year, Aerolíneas Argentinas is implementing a number of measures to strengthen its business model and establish itself as a major player in Latin America. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and rationalization, adding key international destinations, increasing the density of the domestic and regional network and improving product quality and consistency.

SkyTeam has made significant progress in attracting new members in its 10th anniversary year. In June the alliance welcomed Vietnam Airlines and TAROM as new members. In addition, SkyTeam announced that China Eastern and China Airlines would join the group in 2011, cementing the alliances’ No. 1 position in the Greater China region. SkyTeam is actively working on further extending its global network by looking for additional members from regions such as Southeast Asia, India and Latin America.

For more information:
SkyTeam Corporate Communications
T: +31 (0)20 333 3064
E: media@skyteam.com

About SkyTeam

SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive global network with more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers over 420 lounges worldwide. The thirteen members are: Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines. SkyTeam offers its 385 million annual passengers a worldwide system of over 12,500 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries. SkyTeam celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2010. www.skyteam.com

About Aerolíneas Argentinas

Aerolíneas Argentinas, the national airline of Argentina, is one of the leading South American carriers. From its home base in Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Aerolíneas Argentinas flies to 18 international destinations in The Americas, Europe and the South Pacific. Along with Austral Líneas Aéreas, Aerolíneas operates flights to 34 destinations in Argentina, flying to more cities in the Argentine territory than any other airline. Since March 2010 the airline provides dynamic links between Argentina and the region through its relaunched hub in Aeroparque. Aerolíneas is carrying an ambitious fleet renewal program, which begun in 2009 with the addition of 12 Boeing 737-700s Next Generation and the acquisition of 20 Embraer 190s. For more information about the company visit www.aerolineas.com