Skyteam news

[Josh T 0]

ST don’t gain from VN, GA or CI?

Of course they do! That's why I said that it's less likely that MH will be invited to join with those 3 in the alliance.

[Raymund Yeoh 1]

Taipei-based China Airlines confirmed Friday it has agreed to join SkyTeam, with a formal announcement expected Tuesday. CI would become the first Taiwanese carrier to join a global airline alliance.

 

An industry source familiar with the airline's thinking noted that SkyTeam membership will help CI strengthen its weak European network. Taipei-based Eva Airways also reportedly is evaluating its options regarding joining a global alliance.

 

CI's membership would add to SkyTeam's growing presence in Asia. China Eastern Airlines signed a letter of intent to join the alliance in April and Vietnam Airlines formally joined in June.

 

CEA is expected to gain formal membership in the first half of next year, which will make it the second mainland Chinese carrier to join SkyTeam. China Southern Airlines gained membership in late 2007.

 

at least now i can start to consider using CI for future flights since my Dynasty FFP has been collecting dust for quite some time......

[Josh T 0]

at least now i can start to consider using CI for future flights since my Dynasty FFP has been collecting dust for quite some time......

I was thinking the exact same thing. CI offer very cheap business class tickets to Europe and earning points with them will be useful for elite status in ST.

[flee 5]

China Airlines (CAL) has formally begun the process of joining SkyTeam by mid-2011 after signing a letter of intent with the alliance in Taipei.

 

The Taiwanese carrier's move comes a few months after Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines signalled its intent to join SkyTeam, and solidifies the alliance's presence in the Greater China market. Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines is already a member of SkyTeam.

 

"The inclusion of China Airlines in our network will solidify SkyTeam's unrivalled presence in the Greater China market, a region that continues to experience significant economic growth," says Leo van Wijk, chairman of the alliance's board.

 

"In addition to the services provided by our existing members, China Airlines offers an extensive cross-straits operation, linking Taiwan to multiple major destinations in China. Also, Taipei will serve as an alternative Asian hub with services to and from key business destinations in the region."

 

Joining the alliance is a "long-term development strategy" for CAL, says its chairman Philip Wei.

 

"For many years, we have been actively promoting various types of cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines," he adds. "As the first Taiwanese airline to join the world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness."

 

The airline adds that cooperation with China Southern and China Eastern will maximise their network across the Straits in both passenger and cargo operations.

 

CAL will be SkyTeam's fifth Asian member, with Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines already part of the group.

 

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/14/347278/china-airlines-to-join-skyteam-by-mid-2011.html

[Josh T 0]

The management at MH must be under increasing pressure to get into an alliance.

[flee 5]

Garuda Indonesia is likely to be the next airline after Taiwan's China Airlines to formally apply to join the SkyTeam alliance.

 

The company plans to hold an event in November in Jakarta for the signing ceremony, say industry sources.

 

It will be the first carrier from the country to join an alliance, and it comes after several months of negotitions beyween the carrier and SkyTeam.

 

Leo van Wijk, chairman of SkyTeam's board, says that, as negotiations are ongoing, he is would not be able to say much about the carrier's potential membership. "We are still in discussions and unable specify a timeframe for Garuda," he adds.

 

Garuda has been planning to join SkyTeam and have an initial public offering as part of its plans to grow its network and fleet over the next few years.

 

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/14/347287/garuda-in-line-to-be-next-skyteam-partner.html

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Garuda Indonesia is likely to be the next airline after Taiwan's China Airlines to formally apply to join the SkyTeam alliance.

 

The company plans to hold an event in November in Jakarta for the signing ceremony, say industry sources.

 

It will be the first carrier from the country to join an alliance, and it comes after several months of negotitions beyween the carrier and SkyTeam.

 

Leo van Wijk, chairman of SkyTeam's board, says that, as negotiations are ongoing, he is would not be able to say much about the carrier's potential membership. "We are still in discussions and unable specify a timeframe for Garuda," he adds.

 

Garuda has been planning to join SkyTeam and have an initial public offering as part of its plans to grow its network and fleet over the next few years.

 

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/14/347287/garuda-in-line-to-be-next-skyteam-partner.html

 

Indonesia do have great ties with Holland as a former Dutch colony, just like us with the Brits. So it's understandable why they have the hots for SkyTeam. By that definition MH should really push for Oneworld membership!

[dean hizudy 0]

Indonesia do have great ties with Holland as a former Dutch colony, just like us with the Brits. So it's understandable why they have the hots for SkyTeam. By that definition MH should really push for Oneworld membership!

Unfortunately,MH doesnt has a strong ties with BA.Not even a codesharing agreement

[Josh T 0]

Unfortunately,MH doesnt has a strong ties with BA.Not even a codesharing agreement

MH has very little to do with OW carriers. No arrangements with BA, QF or AA. MH will never be part of OW.

[BC Tam 2]

MH has very little to do with OW carriers. No arrangements with BA, QF or AA. MH will never be part of OW.

MH does have a codeshare arrangement with Dragonair (OW member) on the two carriers' BKI-HKG vv services

[Josh T 0]

MH does have a codeshare arrangement with Dragonair (OW member) on the two carriers' BKI-HKG vv services

And that is very little in the whole scheme of the OW alliance...

[BC Tam 2]

And that is very little in the whole scheme of the OW alliance...

True that

In fact, the particular MH/KA codeshare on BKI-HKG has been perceived locally here as a rather 'unhealthy' price fixing exercise as far as consumers are concerned over the years, rather than an alliance of convenience

Then AK entered the picture .........

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

MH has very little to do with OW carriers. No arrangements with BA, QF or AA. MH will never be part of OW.

 

Well, never say never!

[Josh T 0]

Well, never say never!

Well, ok, but it is highly unlikely!!!

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Just got this news from DAC:

 

 

By Mary Jane Credeur, Rodrigo Orihuela and Steve Rothwell

Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Aerolineas Argentinas SA, South America’s fifth-biggest airline, will next month join the SkyTeam alliance led by Delta Air Lines Inc. and Air France-KLM Group, according to two people with knowledge of the agreement.

 

The state-owned company, based in Buenos Aires, will sign an accord to join SkyTeam as soon as the final week of October, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the decision hasn’t been made public.

 

Adding Aerolineas would help SkyTeam vie with rival group Oneworld, whose Lan Airlines SA of Chile is buying Brazil’s Tam SA and which dominates long-haul flights to South America through American Airlines and Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA of Spain. The Star alliance hasn’t had a local member since Brazil’s bankruptcy-threatened Varig was expelled in 2007.

 

“We’ve been in talks with SkyTeam and Star and I think SkyTeam are the strongest,” Max Campos, Aerolineas’s sales manager in London, said in a telephone interview, adding that he couldn’t confirm whether or not a deal had been done.

 

Daniel Mendez, an Aerolineas Argentinas spokesman, declined to comment when contacted by telephone. Mariano Recalde, the company’s president, did not immediately return a message left on his mobile phone seeking a response. Delta has no comment on potential alliance activity, spokesman Trebor Banstetter said.

 

The Argentine government took over Aerolineas from Spain’s Grupo Marsans in 2009. The company and sister carrier Austral operate domestic routes and international flights to cities including Sao Paulo, Miami, Paris, Madrid and Sydney.

 

SkyTeam’s Amsterdam-based spokeswoman Marisca Kensenhuis said the alliance never discloses potential new members until an agreement is signed.

 

--Editors: Chris Jasper, Kenneth Wong.

 

Aerolineas Argentinas is now the latest Skyteam member.

[Josh T 0]

Yikes...AR are a dodgy airline. I think they're under new management now, which seems to have improved things a little but still dodgy...

[Pieter C. 5]

VERY surprising news !!!

 

Didn't even know, Skyteam was talking to AR...

 

Never been to South-America, so cannot comment on their performance/product...

 

They'll get 4 A340-600's, though, ex Qatari...replacing their old 747's

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

VERY surprising news !!!

 

Didn't even know, Skyteam was talking to AR...

 

Never been to South-America, so cannot comment on their performance/product...

 

They'll get 4 A340-600's, though, ex Qatari...replacing their old 747's

 

Yes, it is Uncle Pieter.At first,i was surprised to hear the news too.

 

And since they will be acquiring 4 ex-QR A346s to replacing their B747s,Let's wish them best of luck.

[Josh T 0]

Yes, it is Uncle Pieter.At first,i was surprised to hear the news too.

 

And since they will be acquiring 4 ex-QR A346s to replacing their B747s,Let's wish them best of luck.

AR's B747s are ancient! They make MH's B734s look new by comparison!

Gosh, with all these new members, ST really want to show SA and OW that they are a major player now.

[Y C LEONG 1]

VERY surprising news !!!

 

Didn't even know, Skyteam was talking to AR...

 

 

 

i did revived the thread on 30th aug by stating skyteam is actually in talk with MEA, Saudi and AR.. so perhaps the next one we will see is one of the first two above..

[c.lee 0]

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/11/20/garuda-indonesia-join-airline-alliance-skyteam.html

 

Garuda Indonesia to join airline alliance SkyTeam

 

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is set to officially join international airline alliance SkyTeam in a bid to reach its target to become one of the top ten airlines in the world.

 

The carrier will meet delegates from SkyTeam partner airlines on Nov. 23 in Jakarta to sign an official agreement and discuss detailed practical matters.

 

Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar said Thursday that after officially joining the alliance, his carrier could fly passengers from the alliance’s partner airlines and vice versa, so the flight frequency of his carrier could be increased.

 

“It means that our passengers can fly anywhere with one ticket only,” he said as quoted by Gatra magazine, which was published Friday.

 

He said that joining SkyTeam was an effort from Garuda to provide traveling convenience and more choices for its passengers.

 

Currently, 13 airlines — Aerosoft, Aeromexico, AirEuropa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czeh Airlines, Delta Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, TAROM, and Vietnam Airlines — have joined the alliance. SkyTeam member-airlines travel to 841 destination cities in 162 countries with 16,409 flights per day.

 

To join the alliance, Garuda has to fulfill several requirements, such as having a dedicated terminal. The carrier must also fulfill 29 other criteria points covering aircraft numbers, punctuality and passenger-to-airport access.

 

The state airline has signed an MoU with state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, which manages the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to improve the facilities at 2E and 2F terminals.

 

Garuda signed another agreement Thursday with state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I to upgrade the quality of services Bali’s Ngurah Rai and Surabaya’s Juanda airports.

 

With Garuda Indonesia joining SkyTeam, it means that there is already international acknowledgements on the quality of Indonesia’s airlines.

 

In 2006, European Union (EU) banned all Indonesian airlines from flying to its member-countries due to safety reasons. In 2009, EU lifted the ban on four Indonesian airlines — Garuda Indonesia, Mandala, Premiair and Air Fast, while in 2010, two other airlines — Indonesia Air Asia and Metro Batavia — have also been allowed to fly to Europe.

 

Garuda resumed the Jakarta-Amsterdam flights on July 1 with a stopover in Dubai using Airbus A330-200. The airline plans to introduce direct flight services linking Jakarta and Amsterdam once it receives its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

 

Garuda received in January a four-star rating from UK-based Skytrax so that it was on par with

airlines such as Air France and Emirates.

 

In October, it was revealed that a survey by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has found Garuda the best carrier in terms of service quality in Southeast Asia.

 

The chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita), Ben Sukma, said that joining an alliance such as SkyTeam would boost the popularity of an airline to an international level.

 

“In an airline alliance, each member can cooperate and promote each other. Garuda Indonesia will receive huge benefits from that,” he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

 

However, he said that flight ease offered by the cooperation would not impact on tour and travel

agencies.

 

Ben added that travel agencies would still prioritize lower prices over convenience and ease for their customers.

 

— JP/Rangga D. Fadillah

There will be little room left for MH should GA join ST..

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Huge buzz in A.Net today about the MH-KLM joint venture (JV). Is this the light at the end of the tunnel that everyone has been expecting all this while?

 

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/5017065/

 

KLM and Malaysia Airlines to ink agreement on revenue sharing JV

By Cathy Buyck | December 22, 2010

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/klm-malaysia-airlines-ink-agreement-revenue-sharing-jv-1221

 

KLM and Malaysia Airlines on Wednesday will sign a joint venture agreement covering the Amsterdam–Kuala Lumpur route. KLM and MAS have codeshared on the route and some points beyond since October 1998, with each offering a daily flight, but the new accord will extend the commercial cooperation to include revenue sharing on the route.

 

“Asia is the centerpiece of our long-haul growth and the JV is part of this strategy, together with the extension of our network in the region and new partnerships,” KLM Senior VP-Network and Alliances Pieter Elbers told ATW. Earlier this week, KLM announced the launch of a seventh route from AMS into greater China (to Xiamen starting March 27), further strengthening its lead as the European carrier with the largest destination portfolio in greater China (ATW Daily News, Dec. 21).

 

The KLM-MAS JV will take effect with the start of the summer 2011 schedule and aims to increase the carriers’ share of the growing Australia-South East Asia-Europe market. “We see that traffic between Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe continues to develop and that passengers have many ways and means to fly,” Elbers said. “For both of us, the AMS-KUL route could be further boosted and developed if we have this JV in place.”

 

He added that the JV will enable the airlines to offer passengers “a true seamless service independent of the color of the bill.” He expects to “increase passenger numbers” and “further deepen the cooperation” into other areas. These could include, for instance, a deeper cooperation between frequent flyer programs and the extension of codesharing to more beyond points.

 

The venture is KLM’s fifth JV. The largest one is the transatlantic JV between Delta Air Lines on the US side and Air France-KLM and Alitalia on European side. It also has a JV with Kenya Airways covering the AMS-Nairobi route, a JV with Alitalia and one with China Southern Airlines. KLM does not plan to set up another JV in Asia, Elbers said, adding that it instead will focus on enhancing the China Southern JV.

 

Last month, Malaysia Airlines' maintenance arm and AFI KLM E&M signed a 10-year contract to provide component support for MAS's fleet of 35 737-800 aircraft as well as it 20 737 options. Under the contract, AFI KLM E&M will create a component spares pool in MAS Engineering and Maintenance's facility to support the airline's 737-800s. Simultaneously, a regional component pool will be set up in Kuala Lumpur to provide services to MAS and other customers.

[KK Lee 5]

Effectively means duopoly, neither airline will be competing with each other on KUL/AMS.

[Josh T 0]

Could we see MH's A380s plying the KUL-AMS route as a consequence of this joint venture with KLM?

Looks like it could possibly be another step closer to SkyTeam...

[Johan Z 0]

But, MH and KL have been together for 12 years. If this relationship favours MH entry into ST, it would have happened when MH showed their interest back 5-6 years ago. However, I'm still hoping MH will join ST or any other alliances (VS wants to set up fourth global alliance).