Sky Team 2

Team, branded as SKYTEAM, is an  airline alliance  with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based in the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of  Amsterdam Airport Schiphol  in  Haarlemmermeer,  Netherlands. [2][3]  SkyTeam was founded in 2000 by  Aeromexico,  Air France,  Delta Air Lines  and  Korean Air  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the last of the three airline alliances to be formed – but has grown to become second largest airline alliance in the world (in passenger number terms and members), behind  Star Alliance  and ahead of  Oneworld.The alliance currently consists of thirteen carriers from four continents, with the slogan  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Caring more about you†. SkyTeam also operates a cargo alliance called  SkyTeam Cargo. As of October 2010, the alliance and its members have a total workforce of 316,445. [4] In 2004, the alliance had the biggest expansion when  Continental Airlines,  KLM  and  Northwest Airlines  joi ned simultaneously as full members.In 2010, the alliance celebrated its 10th  anniversary with the introduction of a  SkyTeam livery, the joining of and upgrading of status 4 airlines, followed by the announcements of  Aerolineas Argentinas,  China Eastern Airlines,  China Airlines  and  Garuda Indonesia  to become full members. As of October 2010, SkyTeam and its future members flies to 898 in 169 countries. It operates over 12,500 flights with a combined fleet of 3,400 aircraft (including associate carriers). Furthermore, the alliance has 420 lounges worldwide to serve its 385  million  annual passengers.Besides its passenger-carrying business, SkyTeam also runs a separate cargo alliance –  SkyTeam Cargo  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ which partners eight  carriers  who are all SkyTeam members. Contents  [hide] * 1  Membership history * 1. 1  Formations and early years * 1. 2  Biggest expansion * 1. 3  2005–2006 * 1. 4  2007 expansion * 1. 5  200 8–2009: Departure of airlines and new initiatives * 1. 6  10th anniversary * 2  Member airlines * 2. 1  Full members and their member & non-member affiliates * 2.   Former members * 2. 3  Future members * 2. 3. 1  Possible future members * 3  SkyTeam Cargo * 4  Benefits and services * 4. 1  Members' hubs * 4. 2  Co-locations * 4. 2. 1  Asia * 4. 2. 2  Europe * 4. 2. 3  North America * 4. 3  Premium status * 4. 3. 1  SkyTeam Elite * 4. 3. 2  SkyTeam Elite Plus * 5  SkyTeam special livery * 6  Footnotes * 7  External links| ————————————————- [edit]Membership history [edit]Formations and early yearsA  Delta Air Lines  Boeing 757-200(N717TW)  in the SkyTeam livery On 22 June 2000, representatives of the four founding carriers–Aeromexico,  Air France,  Delta Air Lines  and  Korean Air–held a meeting in New York to announce the founding of the third  airline alliance, named  SkyTeamâ„ ¢. [5]  Upon the formation, SkyTeam, would offer its customers a total of 6402 daily flights to 451 destinations, in 98 countries. In September 2000, the alliance established a cargo alliance,  SkyTeam Cargoâ„ ¢, as it focuses more on cargo operations.5]  The group's inaugural members are Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Delta Air Logistics and Korean Air Cargo. The following month, the newly-established airline alliance announced its intentions to grant  CSA Czech Airlines  membership. [5] The year 2001 saw the joining of  CSA Czech Airlines  on 25 March[5]  and  Alitalia  on 27 July. [6]  On 30 September, the alliance received KLM's application for membership,[7]  following the airline's plans to create a leading airline group with Air France. 7]  In 2003,  Delta's subsidiary  Delta Express  was replaced by  Song. That same year, SkyTeam also launched an i mproved website, focused on providing passengers with more information, increased interactivity, and other resources. [8] [edit]Biggest expansion A  Czech Airlines  ATR 42  (OK-JFL). The airline was the first recruit following the alliance's formation On 24 May 2004,  Aeroflot, the  flag carrier  and principal airline of Russia, signed a  Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) with SkyTeam as it intends to become a full member.The event took place inKremlin, following the airline's application earlier in the year for membership. [9][10]  SkyTeam says that Aeroflot has not met the consortium's standards, but the airline's large hub networks makes it ideal for the alliance. [11] On 28 August,  China Southern Airlines, the largest carrier in the  People's Republic of China, signed a preliminary agreement in  Guangzhou, in its bid to become a full member. 12]  In the presence of a number of Chinese and airline officials, Yan Zhiqing, Chairman of China Southern, sai d, â€Å"This agreement-signing event is an important step forward into the future for China Southern Airlines to adapt itself to the need of further reforms and opening to the international community, as it will strengthen the airline's international cooperation and global competitiveness. † On 13 September,  Continental Airlines,  KLM  and  Northwest Airlines  joined the alliance. [13][14]  Their simultaneous entry was the largest expansion event in airline alliance history.As a result of the three new members, SkyTeam passed  Oneworld  to become the second largest alliance, serving more than 341  million  customers with 14,320 daily flights to 658 destinations in 130 countries. [13] [edit]2005–2006 Even though member CSA Czech Airlines pledged to help  Malev Hungarian Airlines  become an associate member of the alliance (as opposed to a full member, an associate has no voting rights), Malev Hungarian Airlines opted to join the  Oneworld   alliance, signing a Memorandum Of Understanding late in May.A few days later SkyTeam announced four new associate members due to join by 2006, each one being â€Å"sponsored† by an existing member:  Madrid-based  Air Europa  (sponsored by  Air France),  Panama-based  Copa Airlines  (sponsored and partly owned by  Continental Airlines),  Kenya Airways(sponsored and partly owned by  KLM) and  Romania's  TAROM  (sponsored by  Alitalia). Every associate adopted a  frequent flyer program  of a full member:  Copa Airlines  already used  Continental's  OnePass  while  Kenya Airways  and  Air Europaused  Air France-KLM's  Flying Blue.An Alitalia (the one which succeeds Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane) Boeing 767-300ER, registered as EI-DBP, is seen here in SkyTeam  livery. (2010) Aeroflot  joined on 14 April 2006 following a 24-month joining process since May 2004, the first Russian airline to be associated with an airline allianc e. [15][16]  Aeroflot has increased its operational standards, passing  International Air Transport Association's (IATA)  Operational Safety Audit  (IOSA). Delta's subsidiary  Song  continued to operate as  Delta Air Lines.In June, it was announced thatPortugalia  would become the alliance's next associate member candidate, however, in November, rival airline (and Star Alliance member)  TAP Portugal, purchased 99. 81% of the airline, bringing an end to its candidacy. [17] [edit]2007 expansion On 4 September 2007,  Air Europa,  Copa Airlines,  Kenya Airways  became members of SkyTeam's Associate program, which was launched to serve airlines in strategic regions who are intending to become affiliated with the alliance. 18][19]  China Southern Airlines  joined SkyTeam on 15 November to become the 11th full member and the first carrier from  Mainland China  to join SkyTeam. [20]Aeromexico's subsidiary  Aerolitoral  became  Aeromexico Connect. [edi t]2008–2009: Departure of airlines and new initiatives An  Air France  Boeing 777-300ER(F-GZNE)  in the special SkyTeam livery, which was unveiled in 2009 Continental Airlines  and  Copa Airlines  announced their intentions to move to the  Star Alliance  after Continental's final flight with SkyTeam on 24 October 2009. Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane  re-launched operations as the new  Alitalia.In 2009, the alliance announced initiatives towards a centralised management system, based in  Amsterdam. [21]  The consortium also named a new managing director and a timeline outlining the opening of its co-located facilities at  London Heathrow Airport. A new special livery was also unveiled. [21]  On 24 October,  Continental Airlines  and  Copa Airlines  simultaneously left SkyTeam,[22]  after which Continental Airlines would join  Star Alliance  on 27 October. [23]  At the time, it was rumoured that the switch is Continental's initial move in its plan of a United-Continental merge. [24] [edit]10th anniversaryTo start off 2010,  Northwest Airlines  and  Delta Air Lines's operating certificates were officially combined on 1 January, while on 9 March,  China Southern Airlines  announced its plans to join  SkyTeam Cargo. [25]  With membership expected to be granted in November, the airline will be the first Chinese carrier to join a global air cargo alliance. On 16 April,  China Eastern Airlines  announced its intentions to join the alliance, with the official joining ceremony expected to take place mid-2011. [26]  The announcement came after the airline's merge with  Shanghai Airlines, a member of SkyTeam's rival Star Alliance.On 10 June,  Vietnam Airlines  became a full member following a joining ceremony held in  Hanoi. [27]  The airline, therefore, became the first SkyTeam carrier from Southeast Asia, where  Star Alliance  has a strong presence through  Singapore Airlines. With an extra 20 unique destinations added to SkyTeam's route map, Vietnam Airlines helps strengthen the alliance's foothold in the region. [27] On 22 June, the  CEOs  and  Chairmen  of the 13 member airlines gathered in New York to celebrate the alliance's 10th  anniversary.During its first decade of operation, the world's second largest airline alliance more than tripled its membership, doubled it flights and nearly doubled the alliance's destinations. [28]  On the same day, SkyTeam announced that it had renewed its membership program, thereby upgrading  Air Europa  and  Kenya Airways  membership status from associate members to full members,[29][30]  and making TAROM a future full member of the alliance. During the ceremony, the Board outlined its plans to recruit members from  Latin America,  South America  and  India. [28]  Three days later, TAROM officially became a member of SkyTeam. 31]  As part of the celebration, SkyTeam offered reductions of roun d-the-world fares[32]  and other promotions. Following the 10thanniversary, SkyTeam intends to enhance customers' travel experience and deepen co-operation among its members to supplement the expansion into regions that are yet to have SkyTeam members. [33] â€Å"| In South America, India and Africa, it is clear there will be a significant battle for positioning to lure good carriers in your alliance. | †| —Leo van Wijk, Chairman during a 10th anniversary event of SkyTeam[34]| During the year, Delta Air Lines offered  US$1. 2 billion to  Japan Airlines  after the  Asian  airline filed for  bankruptcy  due to US$26 billion debt,[35]  at the same time lobbying  Oneworld's largest member in Asia to switch to SkyTeam. [36]  Delta, along with  American Airlines, wanted Japan Airlines to be in their respective alliances to benefit from the U. S. –Japan  Open Skies agreement. Eventually, Japan Airlines opted to remain at Oneworld, citing that the transfer to SkyTeam would confuse its passengers, and may not gain anti-trust immunity from U. S. regulators. [37] China Airlines will join SkyTeam as a full member in 2011.On 14 September, in space of 5 months, SkyTeam received its second application for full membership. China Airlines, the flag carrier and largest carrier of  Republic of China, announced that it has formally started the joining process. [38]  Upon joining, the airline's route network will supplement those of  China Southern Airlines  and  China Eastern Airlines, allowing cooperation among the three airlines, as well as strengthening SkyTeam's presence not only in both the  People's Republic of China  and the Republic of China, but throughout the Asia-Pacific region.The following month, October,  Aerolineas Argentinas  would sign an agreement to officially start the process of becoming the first  South American  SkyTeam member. The airline is set to join in 2012. [39][40][41] On 1 November ,  Shanghai Airlines  switched from  Star Alliance  to SkyTeam under its parent company, future SkyTeam member, China Eastern Airlines. [42]  This bolstered SkyTeam's presence in the People's Republic of China and surrounding areas, making the SkyTeam the number 1 alliance in the region. 43]  Garuda Indonesia, the flag carrier of Indonesia, formally started its joining process on 23 November, and is scheduled to be integrated by 2012. [44]  Upon joining, the airline will become the second Southeast Asian airline to join SkyTeam, therefore challenging  Star Alliance's dominance in the region through  Thai Airways International  and  Singapore Airlines. ————————————————- [edit]Member airlines [edit]Full members and their member & non-member affiliates Member airline| Country| Joined| Member affiliates| Non-member affiliates| Aeroflot|   Russia| 20 06|   Donavia Nordavia|   Rossiya|Aeromexico[A]|   Mexico| 2000|   Aeromexico Connect Aeromexico Travel| —| Air Europa|   Spain| 2007| —| —| Air France[A][B]|   France| 2000|   Brit Air CityJet Regional|   transavia. com France  (60%)| Alitalia|   Italy| 2008|   Alitalia Express Air One CityLiner|   Air One Smart Carrier| China Southern Airlines|   China| 2007| —|   Chongqing Airlines   Xiamen Airlines| Czech Airlines|   Czech Republic| 2001| —| —| Delta Air Lines[A]|   United States| 2000|   Delta Connection   Delta Shuttle|   Delta AirElite| Kenya Airways|   Kenya| 2007| —| —| KLM[B]|   Netherlands| 2004|   KLM Cityhopper|   Martinair   transavia. com transavia. com France  (40%) transavia. om Denmark  (until April 2011)| Korean Air[A]|   South Korea| 2000| —|   Jin Air| TAROM|   Romania| 2010| —| —| Vietnam Airlines|   Vietnam| 2010| —|   Cambodia Angkor Air   Vietnam Air Service Company (VASCO)| A  Founding member[45] B  Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are part of the airline holding company  Air France-KLM[46] [edit]Former members Former member airline| Country| Joined| Exited| Member affiliates| Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane[A]|   Italy| 2001| 2008|   Alitalia Express   Volare Airlines| Continental Airlines[B]|   United States| 2004| 2009| Continental Connection  operated by: >  Ã‚  Cape Air >  Ã‚  Colgan Air >  Ã‚  CommutAir   Ã‚  Gulfstream International Airlines Continental Express  operated by: >  Ã‚  Chautauqua Airlines >  Ã‚  ExpressJet Airlines Continental Micronesia| Northwest Airlines[C]|   United States| 2004| 2009|   Northwest Airlink| A  Alitalia  re-launched operations in  2008 B  Left the alliance to join  Star Alliance  with  United Airlines C  Northwest Airlines' operating certificate was combined with Delta Air Lines'. Northwest Airl ines ceased operating as a separate carrier and all of its flights now operate under the Delta Air Lines name Former member affiliate| Country| Joined| Exited| Member affiliate of| Aerolitoral[A]|   Mexico| 2000| 2007|   Aeromexico|Delta Express[B]|   United States| 2000| 2003|   Delta Air Lines| Song Airlines[C]|   United States| 2003| 2006|   Delta Air Lines| VLM Airlines[D]|   Belgium| 2000| 2009|   Air France| A  A founding affiliate member and relaunched as  Aeromexico Connect. B  A founding affiliate member. Replaced by Song Airlines. C  Song's operations became part of  Delta's fleet. D  A founding affiliate member and merged with  CityJet. Former associate member| Country| Joined| Exited| Member affiliates| Copa Airlines[A]|   Panama| 2007| 2009| AeroRepublica| A  Left the alliance on October 24, 2009 and will join  Star Alliance  in mid-2012. edit]Future members China Eastern Airlines  will become a full member in mid-2011. Aerolineas Argentinas  will join SkyTeam as a full member in early 2012. Garuda Indonesia  is set to join SkyTeam in 2012 Future member airline| Country| Joining| Member affiliates| Non-member affiliates| Aerolineas Argentinas[47]|   Argentina| 2012|   Austral Lineas Aereas| —| China Airlines[38]|   Taiwan| Mid-2011|   Mandarin Airlines| —| China Eastern Airlines[48]|   China| Mid-2011|   Shanghai Airlines| —| Garuda Indonesia[44][49][50]|   Indonesia| Early-2012| —|   Citilink| [edit]Possible future membersAirline| Country| Member affiliates| Non-member affiliates| Aer Lingus[51]|   Ireland|   Aer Lingus Regional| —| Air Algerie[52]|   Algeria| —| —| Gulf Air[53]|   Bahrain| —| —| Jet Airways[54][55]|   India| —|   Jet Konnect JetLite| Malaysia Airlines[56]|   Malaysia|   MASwings|   Firefly| Middle East Airlines|   Lebanon| —| —| Saudi Arabian Airlines[57]|   Saudi A rabia| —| —| ————————————————- [edit]SkyTeam Cargo Main article:  SkyTeam Cargo SkyTeam Cargo is is a cargo division of SkyTeam. SkyTeam Cargo is the bigger f the world's two cargo alliances, ahead of its rival  WOW Alliance. The cargo alliance partners eight members from the passenger alliance –  Aeromexpress,  Air France Cargo,  Alitalia Cargo,  China Southern Cargo,  CSA Cargo,  Delta Air Logistics,  KLM Cargo  and  Korean Air Cargo. ————————————————- [edit]Benefits and services [edit]Members' hubs Rome  Da Vinci Airport  Terminal 1 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2 Mexico City International Airport Terminal 2 Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport Terminal 1 Member Airline| Count ry| Hub Airport(s)|Aeroflot|   Russia| Sheremetyevo International Airport  (Moscow)| Aerolineas Argentinas  (future member)|   Argentina Argentina| Aeroparque Jorge Newbery  (Buenos Aires) Ministro Pistarini International Airport  (Buenos Aires)| Aeromexico|   Mexico| Mexico City International Airport| Air Europa|   Spain| Madrid Barajas Airport| Air France|   France| Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport| Alitalia|   Italy| Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport  (Rome)| China Airlines  (future member)|   Taiwan| Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport  (Taipei)| China Eastern Airlines  (future member)|   China China| Shanghai Hongqiao International AirportShanghai Pudong International Airport| China Southern Airlines|   China China| Beijing Capital International Airport Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport| Czech Airlines|   Czech Republic| Prague – Ruzyne Airport| Delta Air Lines|   Netherlands USA USA USA USA USA USA France USA Japan| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Memphis International Airport Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport John F. Kennedy International Airport  (New York) Paris-Charles de Gaulle AirportSalt Lake City International Airport Narita International Airport  (Tokyo)| Garuda Indonesia  (future member)|   Indonesia Indonesia| Ngurah Rai International Airport  (Denpasar) Soekarno–Hatta International Airport  (Jakarta)| Kenya Airways|   Kenya| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport  (Nairobi)| KLM|   Netherlands| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol| Korean Air|   South Korea South Korea| Gimpo International Airport  (Seoul) Incheon International Airport  (Seoul)| TAROM|   Romania| Henri Coanda International Airport  (Bucharest)| Vietnam Airlines|   Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam| Noi Bai International Airport  (Hanoi)Long Thanh Internatio nal Airport  (Ho Chi Minh City, future airport) Tan Son Nhat International Airport  (Ho Chi Minh City)| [edit]Co-locations [edit]Asia Airport| Terminal| Beijing Capital International Airport| Terminal 2| Narita International Airport  (Tokyo)| Terminal 1 North Wing, except  China Southern Airlines and  Vietnam Airlines  (Terminal 2)| Incheon International Airport  (Seoul)| Concourse A except,  Korean Air  (East Side of Main Terminal)| [edit]Europe Airport| Terminal| Henri Coanda International Airport  (Bucharest)| Terminal 1|   Frankfurt Airport| Terminal 2| London Heathrow Airport| Terminal 4|Madrid Barajas Airport| Terminal 1 (International) Terminal 2 (European and domestic), except  Czech Airlines  and  TAROM(Terminal 4)|   Sheremetyevo International Airport  (Moscow)| Terminals D and E, except  Vietnam Airlines  (Domodedovo International Airport)|   Charles de Gaulle Airport  (Paris)| Terminals 2E and 2F2 (International) Terminals 2D and 2 F1 (European) 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G (Air France)| Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport  (Rome)| Terminal 1|   Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport| Terminal 1, except  Aeroflot,  Tarom, and  Alitalia  (Terminal 2)| [edit]North America Chicago O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5Airport| Terminal| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport| Concourses T, A, B, and D (Domestic) Concourse E (International)|   O'Hare International Airport  (Chicago)| Terminal 5, except Delta (Terminal 2)|   Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport| Terminal 3|   Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport| Terminal D (KLM & Korean Air) Terminal E (Delta)| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport| McNamara Terminal|   Mexico City International Airport| Terminal 2, except  Air France  and  KLM  (Terminal 1)|   Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport| Terminal 1 (future o-location)|   General Mariano Escobedo International Airport(Monterrey)| Terminal B|   John F. Kennedy International Airport  (New York)| Terminals 1 and 4 (International) Terminals 2 and 3 (Domestic)| San Francisco International Airport| Terminal A (International) Terminals 1 B and C (Domestic)| Los Angeles International Airport| Terminals 2, 6, and TBIT (International) Terminal 5 (Domestic)| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport| South Satellite Terminal|   Toronto Pearson International Airport| Terminal 3, except  Alitalia  (Terminal 1)| [edit]Premium statusSkyTeam has two premium levels—Elite  and  Elite Plus—based on a customer's tier status in a member carrier's  frequent-flyer program. Each of the member and associate airlines recognises the elite statuses, with a few exceptions. The statuses have no specific requirements of their own; membership is based solely on the frequent-flyer programs of individual member airlines. Airline and Frequent Flyer Programme| SkyTeam Elite Status| SkyTeam Elite Plus Status| Aeroflot| Aerof lot Bonus[58]| Silver| Gold| Aeromexico| Club Premier[59]| Gold| Platinum| Air EuropaAir France Kenya Airways KLM TAROM| Flying Blue[60]| Silver Gold*| Gold**Platinum| Alitalia| MilleMiglia[61]| Silver Ulisse| Freccia Alata Freccia Alata Plus| China Southern Airlines| Sky Pearl Club[62]| Silver| Gold Platinum| Czech Airlines| OK Plus[63]| Silver| Gold Platinum| Delta Air Lines| SkyMiles[64]| Silver Medallion Gold Medallion| Platinum Medallion Diamond Medallion| Korean Air| SKYPASS[65]| Morning Calm| Premium Million Miler| Vietnam Airlines| Golden Lotus Plus[66]| TitaniumSilver| Platinum| *Gold: US / Mexico residents **Gold: non-US / Mexico residents edit]SkyTeam  Elite SkyTeam Elite status is awarded to customers who have reached the premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program. Benefits of SkyTeam Elite membership: * Priority reservations waitlisting * Priority airport standby * Priority boarding * Priority check-in * Preferred seating [edit]SkyTeam  Elite Plus Sk yTeam Elite Plus status is awarded to customers who have reached the higher premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program. Benefits of SkyTeam Elite Plus membership: * Priority reservations waitlisting Priority airport standby * Priority boarding * Priority airport check-in * Preferred seating * Priority baggage handling * Additional checked luggage allowance * Airport lounge access * Guaranteed reservations on sold-out flights * Express airport security (in some hub airports) ————————————————- [edit]SkyTeam special livery SkyTeam launched in 2009 a special livery celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The livery consisted of an all-metallic silver  fuselage  and a dark blue  empennage  with SkyTeam's logo on it.On the fuselage however, the alliance emblem is painted on both sides. As of November 2010, 13 aircraft wear the SkyTeam livery. OK-JFL, an  A TR 42  of  Czech Airlines  in special livery. (2009) Aircraft in SkyTeam livery[67]| Airline| Country| Aircraft| Registration| Completed| Aeroflot|   Russia| Airbus A330-300| VQ-BCQ| October 2009| Aerolineas Argentinas|   Argentina| TBA| Pending| Future| Aeromexico Aeromexico Connect*|   Mexico| Boeing 767-200ER Embraer ERJ-145| XA-JBC XA-CLI| May 2009 November 2010| Air Europa|   Spain| Boeing 737-800| Pending| Future|Air France|   France| Boeing 777-300ER| F-GZNE| June 2009| Alitalia|   Italy| Boeing 767-300ER| EI-DBP| May 2009| China Airlines|   Republic of China| TBA| Pending| Future| China Eastern Airlines|   People's Republic of China| TBA| Pending| Future| China Southern Airlines|   People's Republic of China| Boeing 777-200ER| B-2056| June 2009| Czech Airlines|   Czech Republic| ATR 42-500| OK-JFL| May 2009| Delta Air Lines|   USA| Boeing 767-400ER Boeing 757-200| N844MH N717TW| April 2009 September 2009| Garuda Indonesia|   Indonesia| TBA| Pend ing| Future| Kenya Airways|   Kenya| Boeing 737-800| Pending| Future| KLM|   Netherlands| Boeing 777-300ERBoeing 737-900| PH-BVD PH-BXO| August 2009 June 2010| Korean Air|   South Korea| Boeing 777-200ER| HL7733| October 2009| TAROM|   Romania| Boeing 737-800| Pending| Future| Vietnam Airlines|   Vietnam| Airbus A330-200| VN-A371| June 2010| * Aeromexico's subsidiary now has a SkyTeam livery, making Aeromexico the only member of the alliance with a SkyTeam livery for its affiliate. ————————————————- [edit]Footnotes References 1. ^  Our SkyTeam Carriers 2. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"SkyTeam Marks Major Milestones Toward A Centralized Organization†. SkyTeam. com. 25 July 2009. 3.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Welcome to WTC. † World Trade Center Schiphol. Retrieved on 10 February 2010. 4. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"SkyTeam Facts ;amp; Figures†. SkyTeam. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 5. ^  a  b   c  d  Ã¢â‚¬Å"A History Of SkyTeam†. breakingtravelnews. com. 27/7/01. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 6. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Delta, Alitalia partnership secure†. Atlanta Business Chronicle. 25/8/01. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 7. ^  a  b  SkyTeam (20/9/01). â€Å"SkyTeam Welcomes KLM Application for Membership†. Press release. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 8. ^  SkyTeam (11/6/03). â€Å"SkyTeam Launches Enhanced Web Site to Improve the Passenger Experience†. Press release.Retrieved 1 October 2010. 9. ^  SkyTeam (24/5/04). â€Å"SkyTeam Signs MOU With Aeroflot; Agreement preliminary step in new member joining process†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 10. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Aeroflot plans to join SkyTeam alliance†. Atlanta Business Chronicles. 24/5/04. Retrieved 2 October 2010. 11. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Aeroflot eyes Sky Team membership†. BBC News. 29/1/04. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 12. ^  SkyTeam (28/8/04). â€Å"SkyTeam Signs Agreement With China Southern Airlines; Agreement preliminary step in new member joining process†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 13. ^  a  b  SkyTeam (13/9/04). Continental, KLM And Northwest Join The SkyTeam Alliance; Solidifies Position as a Leading Global Alliance†. Press release. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 14. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"NWA, KLM & Continental join Skyteam Alliance†. mb. com. ph. 20/9/04. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 15. ^  SkyTeam (14/4/06). [http://www. skyteam. com/news/headlines/20060414. html  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Aeroflot Joins the SkyTeam Alliance Tenth Member Strengthens Position as a Leading Global Alliance and Extends Route Network Into High Growth Markets†]. Press release. Retrieved 2 October 2010. 16. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Aeroflot sheds Soviet image to join ‘SkyTeam'†. Forbes. 14/4/06/.Retrieved 4 October 2010. 17. ^  SkyTeam Focused on Alliance Development as Portugalia Airlines Becomes Associate Airline Candidate; China Southern Mak es Progress Toward Membership Governing Board provides recruitment, network and services updates  fromwww. skyteam. com  2 June 2006 18. ^  SkyTeam (4/9/07). [http://www. skyteam. com/news/headlines/20070903. html  Ã¢â‚¬Å"SkyTeam Strengthens Global Network with Addition of Three Associate Airlines Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways Officially Join SkyTeam Associate Program†]. Press release. Retrieved 2 October 2010. 19. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Kenya Airways And Two Others Join Sky Team†.AllAfrica. com. 6/9/07. 20. ^  SkyTeam. com (15 November 2007). â€Å"SkyTeam Welcomes China Southern Airlines as First Chinese Carrier†. Press release. 21. ^  a  b  SkyTeam (1/4/09). â€Å"SkyTeam names Managing Director, Introduces Aircraft Livery†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 22. ^  Hensel, Bill (29/1/09). â€Å"Continental to leave SkyTeam alliance in October†. Chron. com. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 23. ^  Continental Airlines To Leave SkyTeam For Star Alliance  (Official Press Release: June 19, 2008) 24. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Continental plans United tie-up; will leave SkyTeam for Star Alliance†. Timesonline. co. uk. 20/6/08.Retrieved 17 November 2010. 25. ^  SkyTeam (9/3/10). â€Å"China Southern Airlines to Join Skyteam Cargo in 2010†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 26. ^  SkyTeam (16/4/10). â€Å"China Eastern to join SkyTeam†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 27. ^  a  b  SkyTeam (10/6/10). â€Å"Vietnam Airlines Joins SkyTeam†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 28. ^  a  b  SkyTeam (22/6/10). â€Å"SKYTEAM CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY†. Press release. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 29. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"SkyTeam triples membership in first decade, upgrades three airlines, signs pilot JV†. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. 23/6/10. Retrieved 23 June 2010. 0. ^  Cameron, Doug (22/6/10). â€Å"SkyTeam Makes Kenya Airways, Air Europa Full Alliance Members†. Retrieved 23 June 2010. [dead link] 31. ^  SkyTeam. com 32. ^  SkyTeam (8/7/10). â€Å"SkyTeam Offers Lower Fares with Round the World Promotion†. Press release. Retrieved 23 October 2010. 33. ^  Skyteam. â€Å"SKYTEAM NEWSFLASH AUGUST 2010†. Press release. Retrieved 23 October 2010. 34. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"SkyTeam looking for new partners in Latin America, Asia and Africa†. eTurboNews. 23/6/10. Retrieved 23 June 2010. 35. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Delta says SkyTeam could invest more in JAL – WSJ†. Thomson Reuters  (Forbes. com). 20/11/09. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 6. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Japan Airlines Opts To Remain In Oneworld Alliance†. AviationNews. 16/2/10. Retrieved 1 October 2010. 37. ^  Ã¢â‚¬Å"JAL to stay with American Airlines: Reports†. The Economic Times. 8/2/10. 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Retrieved 30 September 2010. ————————————————- [edit]External links | Wikimedia Commons has media related to:  SkyTeam | | Wikiquote  has a collection of quotations related to:  Skyteam| | Netherlands portal| | Aviation portal| * Official SkyTeam website * SkyTeam Cargo [show]v  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  d  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  eCommercial air travel| | An  airline alliance  is an agreement between two or more  airlines  to cooperate on a substantial level.The three largest passenger alliances are the  Star Alliance,  SkyTeam  and  Oneworld. Alliances also form between  cargo airlines, such as that ofWOW Alliance,  SkyTeam Cargo  and  ANA/UPS Alliance. Alliances provide a network of connectivity and convenience for international passengers and international packages. Alliances also provide convenient marketing branding to facilitate travelers making inter-airline  codeshare  connections within countries. This branding goes as far as to even include unified  aircraft liveries  among member airlines. Contents  [hide] * 1  Rationale * 2  Issues * 3  History * 4  Alliances * 4.   Notes * 5  References| ————————————————- [edit]Rationale Benefits can consist of: * An extended and optimised network: this is often realised through  code sharing  agreements. Many alliances started as only a code sharing network. * Cost reduction from sharing of: * Sales offices * Maintenance facilities * Operational facilities, e. g. catering or computer systems. * Operational staff, e. g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks. * Investments and purchases, e. g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts. * Traveler benefits can include: Lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route. * More departure times to choose from on a given route. * More destinations within easy reach. * Shorter travel times as a result of optimised transfers. * A wider range of  airport lounges  shared with alliance members * Faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers. * Round-the-world tickets, enabling travelers to fly over the world for a relatively low price. Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveler, such as: * Higher prices when all competition is erased on a certain route. Less frequent flights: for instance, if two airlines separately fly three and two times a day respectively on a shared route, their alliance might fly less than 5(3+2) times a day on the same route. This might be especially true between hub cities for each airline. e. g. , flights between Detroit (a Delta Air Lines  fortress hub) and Amsterdam (a KLM fortress hub). ————————————————- [edit]Issues The ability of an airline to join an alliance is often restricted by laws and regulations or subject to approval by authorities. Antitrust  laws play a large role.Land ing rights may not be owned by the airlines themselves but by the nation in which their head office resides. If an airline loses its national identity by merging to a large extent with a foreign company, existing agreements may be declared void by a country which objects to the merger. In 2010 Swiss lost overflight rights after being bought by Lufthansa  [1]. ————————————————- [edit]History The first airline alliance started in the 1930s, when  Pan American-Grace Airways  and parent company  Pan American World Airways  agreed to exchange routes to  Latin America.The first large alliance started in 1989, when Northwest and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines agreed to code sharing on a large scale. A huge step was taken in 1992 when The Netherlands signed the first  open skies  agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the  European Union  autho rities. This gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on each others' soil. Normally landing rights are granted for a fixed number of flights per week to a fixed destination. Each adjustment takes negotiating, often between governments rather than between the companies involved.