BUENOS AIRES, 29 August 2012 – SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, today welcomes Aerolíneas Argentinas as its 18th member. The national airline of Argentina – South America’s second largest economy - Aerolíneas Argentinas becomes SkyTeam’s first South American member, adding 40 new destinations to the SkyTeam network.
“We are pleased to be bringing our Argentinean customers access to a greater worldwide network. Today also marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen our South American network,” said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam’s Managing Director. “With the rapidly growing demand for travel to South America and Argentina, Aerolíneas Argentinas adds real value to our alliance by opening up extensive business and leisure travel opportunities for our customers”.
“Looking forward, we will continue to focus on this continent. Our founding members Delta and Aeroméxico are significant players in the Latin American market and are leading the way in terms of finding new opportunities in this region,” said Mr. Wisbrun. “Delta has expanded its cooperation with Brazil’s GOL and Aeroméxico, by building ground-breaking commercial agreements. These will pave the way for further opportunities for SkyTeam and our customers”.
Joining SkyTeam is a major achievement in Aerolíneas Argentinas’ long-term restructuring plan. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and network rationalization, upgrading the entire IT platform, improving product quality and enhancing the frequent flyer program Aerolíneas Plus.
Aerolíneas Argentinas operates services to 52 destinations in 14 countries from its two hubs at Buenos Aires, including a comprehensive domestic network of 35 destinations within Argentina itself. These include popular tourist attractions such as: the Patagonian capital of Ushuaia, the spectacular Iguazu falls, the world-renowned wine producing region of Mendoza, as well as the industrial centers of Córdoba and Rosario.
Buenos Aires is served by six existing SkyTeam members – Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines and KLM - all offering regular scheduled services to and from North America and Europe. Altogether, SkyTeam carriers now offer 123 daily departures from Buenos Aires to 53 destinations around the globe.
Customers traveling on SkyTeam’s Go Round the World pass now benefit from even more seamless travel throughout six continents. Aerolíneas Argentinas operates direct flights from Buenos Aires to Sydney, meaning for the first time customers can fly non-stop between South America and Australia as part of a SkyTeam Round the World itinerary.
In keeping with SkyTeam’s focus on enriching the customer experience, Aerolíneas Argentinas will implement SkyPriority – SkyTeam priority airport services for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide - by the end of 2012. Effective immediately, Aerolíneas Argentinas customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Aerolíneas Argentinas operated flights.
For more information:
SkyTeam
Corporate Communications
T: +31 (0)20 333 3064
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 520 lounges worldwide. The eighteen members are: Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines. SkyTeam offers its 537 million annual customers nearly 15,000 daily flights to 993 destinations in 186 countries.
www.skyteam.com
About Aerolíneas Argentinas
Founded in 1950, Aerolíneas Argentinas is one of the leading South American carriers. From its home bases 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 35 destinations in Argentina, flying to more cities in the Argentine territory than any other airline. Aerolíneas provides dynamic links between Argentina and the region through its relaunched hub in Aeroparque Jorge Newbery city airport. The Aerolíneas group is carrying out an ambitious fleet renewal program. The fleet is composed of 57 aircraft, comprising 11 Airbus 340, 26 Boeing 737-700/800 and 20 Embraer 190. The airline is member of the SkyTeam global alliance since September 2012.
www.aerolineas.com.