SkyTeam is an airline alliance. Founded in June 2000, SkyTeam is the last of three major airline alliances to be established, the first two being Star Alliance and Oneworld. In March 2014, SkyTeam consists of 20 operators from five continents and operates with the slogan "Caring more about you". It also operates a cargo alliance named SkyTeam Cargo, which partners with ten operators, all members of SkyTeam. Its centralized management team, SkyTeam Central , is based at Schiphol's World Trade Center Airport under the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands.
In 2004, the alliance experienced the largest expansion when Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and KLM simultaneously joined as full members. In 2010, the alliance celebrated its 10th anniversary with the introduction of a special livery, joining or upgrading the status of four airlines, followed by AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas, China Airlines and Garuda Indonesia announcements to become full members. In January 2011 ( 2011-01 ) , combining both Saudi Arabian Airlines and Middle East Airlines during 2012; this event effectively occurred in May and June 2012 ( 2012-06 ) , respectively, while the membership of AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas and Xiamen Airlines was activated in August and November of the year the same, respectively. Garuda Indonesia entered the alliance in March 2014 ( 2014-03 ) .
In March 2014, SkyTeam flies to more than 1,000 destinations in 178 countries and operates around 15,700 flights daily with a combined fleet of more than 4,400 aircraft, including associate operators. The alliance and its members have a total workforce of 459,781; in addition, it has 564 lounges worldwide to serve 588 million annual passengers.
Video SkyTeam
Membership history
Formation and early years
On June 22, 2000, Aeromà © à © xico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air met in New York to find a third airline alliance. It became the four founding operators of SkyTeam. After its formation, SkyTeam will offer its customers a total of 6,402 flights daily to 451 destinations in 98 countries. In September 2000 ( 2000-09 ) , the alliance established a cargo alliance, SkyTeam Cargo . The group's first members are Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Delta Air Logistics and Korean Air Cargo. The following month, a newly established airline alliance announced its intention to incorporate CSA Czech Airlines as its fifth member in April of the following year.
The Alliance sees the joining of CSA Czech Airlines on March 25, 2001; Alitalia entered SkyTeam on July 27 in the same year, with its membership scheduled to be effective November 1 of that year. On September 30, 2001, the alliance accepted the KLM membership application, following the airline's plan to create a leading airline group with Air France. In 2003, Delta's subsidiary Delta Express was replaced by Song. In the same year, SkyTeam also launched an enhanced website focusing on providing more information to passengers, increasing interactivity, and other resources.
2004: The first major expansion
On May 24, 2004, Aeroflot, Russia's main airline and airline, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SkyTeam which is intended to become a full member. The event takes place in the Kremlin following an airline application at the beginning of the year for membership. SkyTeam stated that Aeroflot has not met the consortium standards, but the airline's big hub network makes it ideal for alliances, and is made for its shortcomings.
On August 28, China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People's Republic of China, signed an initial agreement in Guangzhou in its bid to become a full member. In the presence of a number of Chinese officials and airlines, Yan Zhiqing, chairman of China Southern Airlines, said, "The signing ceremony of this agreement is an important step forward into the future for China Southern Airlines to adapt to further needs reform and opening for the international community , as it will strengthen international cooperation and global competitiveness of airlines. "
On September 13, Continental Airlines, KLM, and Northwest Airlines joined the alliance. Their simultaneous entry is the largest expansion event in the history of airline alliances. As a result of three new members, SkyTeam surpassed Oneworld to become the second largest airline alliance, serving more than 341 million subscribers with 14,320 flights daily to 658 destinations in 130 countries.
2005-2006
Although CSA member Czech Airlines pledged to help MalÃÆ'Â © v Hungarian Airlines become a member of the association association (as opposed to full members, the co-owns no voting rights), MalÃÆ' Â © v Hungarian Airlines chose to join the Oneworld airline alliance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on end of May. A few days later, SkyTeam announced four new association members who would join in 2006, each "sponsored" by existing members: Air France Airlines based in Madrid (sponsored by Air France), Panama-based Copa Airlines (sponsored and partly owned by Continental Airlines), Kenya Airways (sponsored and partly owned by KLM) and Romanian TAROM (sponsored by Alitalia). Each associate adopts a full-fledged frequent flyer program: Copa Airlines is already using Continental OnePass ; Kenya Airways and Air Europa using Air France-KLM Flying Blue .
Following the joining process of 23 months since May 2004 ( 2004-05 ) , Aeroflot joined on 14 April 2006. This is the first Russian airline to be associated with any airline partnership. Aeroflot has upgraded its operational standards, through the International Air Transport Association's (IOSA) Operational Safety Audit (IATA). Delta's subsidiary, Song continues to operate as Delta Air Lines. In June, it was announced that PortugÃÆ'¡lia would become the next member of the association. However, in November, rival airline and Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal, bought 99.81% of the airline, ending its nomination unexpectedly.
2007: Expansion
On September 4, 2007, Air Europa and Copa Airlines, and Kenya Airways became members of the SkyTeam Associate program, which was launched to serve airlines in strategic areas intended to become affiliated with the alliance. China Southern Airlines joined SkyTeam on November 15 to become the 11th full member and first airline from Mainland China to join the alliance.
2008-2009: Airline departures and new initiatives
In June 2008 ( 2008-06 ) , following an agreement between Continental Airlines and United Airlines, the first of these operators and Copa Airlines announced their intention to move to Star Alliance after Continental's last flight with SkyTeam on October 24, 2009. That day, as announced, Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines simultaneously left SkyTeam. Continental Airlines joined the Star Alliance three days later; at the time, there were rumors that the switch was Continental Airlines's first move in the United-Continental merger.
In April 2009 ( 2009-04 ) , the alliance signed a preliminary agreement with Vietnam Airlines for the airline to become a full member in 2010. Also in 2009, Alitalia- Linee Aeree Italiane re-launched operations as a new Alitalia, and the alliance announced an initiative towards centralized management based in Amsterdam. The consortium also named the new managing director, Marie-Joseph MalÃÆ'Â ©, outlining the timeline for the opening of the facility located at London Heathrow Airport, and launching a new specialty livery.
Tenth anniversary
To start 2010, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines certificate operations officially merged on January 1, while on March 9, China Southern Airlines announced plans to join SkyTeam Cargo. With the membership expected to be given in November of the same year, the airline will be the first Chinese airline to join the global air cargo alliance. On April 16, China Eastern Airlines announced its intention to join SkyTeam, with an official joining ceremony originally expected to take place in mid-2011. The announcement came shortly after the merger of the airline with Shanghai Airlines, a member of SkyTeam rival Star Alliance.
On June 10, Vietnam Airlines became a full member after a joint ceremony held in Hanoi. This airline became the first SkyTeam airline from Southeast Asia, where Star Alliance has a strong presence through Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International. With an additional 20 unique destinations added to the SkyTeam route map, Vietnam Airlines helps strengthen the alliance's foothold in the region.
On June 22, CEOs and chairmen of 13 member airlines gathered in New York to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the alliance. During its first decade of operation, the world's second largest airline alliance more than tripled its membership, doubling its flights and nearly doubling its goal. On the same day, SkyTeam announced that it has renewed its membership program, thereby improving Air Europa, Kenya Airways and TAROM's status from partner to full member. During the ceremony, the Council outlined its plans to recruit members from Latin America, South America and India. Three days later, TAROM officially became a member of SkyTeam 13th. As part of the celebration, SkyTeam offers world-wide reduced fares and other promotions. After its 10th anniversary, SkyTeam intends to enhance the customer's travel experience and deepen cooperation among its members to complement the expansion into areas that do not already have SkyTeam members.
During this year, Delta Air Lines offered US $ 1.02 billion to Japan Airlines after the Asian airline filed for bankruptcy due to US $ 26 billion of debt, at the same time lobbying the largest member Oneworld in Asia to switch to SkyTeam. Delta, along with American Airlines, wants Japan Airlines to be in their alliance to benefit from the US-Japan Open Skies agreement. Finally, Japan Airlines chose to remain on Oneworld, arguing that transfers to SkyTeam would confuse passengers and may not get anti-trust immunity from US regulators.
SkyTeam accepts second app for full membership within the span of five months. China Airlines, the flag carrier of Taiwan and the largest airline, announced in mid-September that they have officially started the process of joining. After joining, the airline's network of airlines complements China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, enabling cooperation among the three airlines. The following month AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas signed an agreement to officially start the process of becoming the first South American SkyTeam member. The airline is set to join in 2012.
On November 1st, Shanghai Airlines quit the Star Alliance to join SkyTeam in the future under its parent company, SkyTeam member in the future of China Eastern Airlines. This supports the presence of SkyTeam in the People's Republic of China and surrounding areas, making SkyTeam the number one alliance in the region. Garuda Indonesia officially commenced its joining process on November 23 and is scheduled to be integrated in 2012. After joining, the airline became the second Southeast Asian airline to join SkyTeam, thereby challenging Star Alliance dominance in the region through Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines.
2011-present: Second big expansion
On January 10, 2011, Saudi Arabia Airlines signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. On February 28 of the same year, Middle East Airlines agreed to join the alliance. Delta and Air France-KLM Delta airlines appoint Goldman Sachs at the end of February 2011 to advise them of a potential bid for Sir Richard Branson's 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic, which can lead to airlines that join SkyTeam and will sharply increase the alliance's footprint in London. Rivals Star Alliance and Etihad Airlines are also investigating Virgin Atlantic's competing options. China Eastern Airlines joined the alliance on June 21, 2011, along with its subsidiary, Shanghai Airlines, to become the 14th member. Then in 2011, on September 28, China Airlines joined the alliance. In November of the same year, Xiamen Airlines committed to join as a full member by the end of 2012, with their entry backed by China Southern Airlines.
On May 29, 2012, Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first airline to join the alliance in 2012 and the first based in the Middle East, bringing the total members to the 16th. On the same day as its establishment, Saudi Arabia Airlines was renamed Saudia. Middle East Airlines became the 17th member of the alliance a month later, after its merger on June 28, 2012. On August 29, 2012, AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas became the first South American airline and the second Latin American to join the alliance, bringing the number of members to 18. After the merger on November 21, 2012, Xiamen Airlines became the fourth member in Mainland China, with the total number of members in the alliance rising to 19. At the end of June 2013 ( 2013-06 ) , the newspaper Russia Kommersant published an article stating that Aeroflot is considering leaving the alliance because of a dispute with Delta over pricing on several routes to North America. The report also mentioned that the Russian airline was considering joining the Star Alliance. To assess the benefits of SkyTeam membership, research was conducted in July; following it, the Aeroflot board confirms its position in the alliance in September 2013 ( 2013-09 ) .
Garuda Indonesia becomes the 20th member of the alliance on March 5, 2014. Garuda was originally expected to get SkyTeam membership in 2012, the process of joining Garuda takes 40 months to complete.
Maps SkyTeam
Member carriers
Full members and affiliates of their members
As of March 2015, the following airlines are members of SkyTeam:
According to news reports, China Southern Airlines is currently considering leaving SkyTeam for the sake of Oneworld.
Former members and affiliate members
Former member airlines and affiliates
Former member of the affiliate of the current full member
Former member of association
SkyTeam Cargo
SkyTeam Cargo is SkyTeam's cargo division. In June 2013, the cargo alliance was formed by eleven members of the passenger alliance: Aeroflot Cargo, AeromÃÆ'Â Â © xico Cargo, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, China Cargo Airlines, China Southern Cargo, Czech Airlines Cargo, Delta Cargo, KLM Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo. AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas Cargo, a cargo division of AerolÃÆ'neas Argentinas, joined the alliance in November 2013 ( 2013-11 ) .
Benefits and services
SkyTeam Hub
Co-locations
Premium status
SkyTeam has two premium levels, Elite and Elite Plus , based on customer tier status in the operator's frequent flyer program. Each associate member and airline recognizes elite status, with a few exceptions. Status has no special requirements for their own; membership is only based on the frequent flyer program of each member airline.
SkyEdit Elite
SkyTeam Elite status is given to customers who have reached the premium level of the operator's frequent flyer program. Benefits of SkyTeam Elite membership:
- Priority order waiting list
- Airport standby priority
- Boarding priority
- Priority check-in
- Seating options
SkyTeam Elite Plus
SkyTeam Elite Plus status is given to customers who have reached a higher premium rate than the operator's frequent flyer program. Membership benefits SkyTeam Elite Plus:
- Priority order waiting list
- Airport standby priority
- Boarding priority
- Priority airport check-in
- Seating options
- Priority baggage handling
- Extra luggage allowance
- Airport lounge access
- Booking is assured on sold-out flights
- Airport express security (at some hub airports)
Level of qualification by airlines
Livery and logo
SkyTeam was launched in 2009 as a special livery celebrating its 10th anniversary, with Delta Air Lines becoming the first airline to paint one of its airplanes with these colors. The livery consists of an all-metallic silver plane and a dark blue empennage with the SkyTeam logo on it. But on the plane, the alliance symbol is painted on both sides. In August 2016, SkyTeam livery was worn by 52 aircraft.
See also
- Oneworld
- Star Alliance
Note
References
External links
- Official SkyTeam Website
- SkyTeam Cargo
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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