| Launch date | 22 June 2000 |
|---|---|
| Full members | 15 |
| Pending members | 5 |
| Destination airports | 926 |
| Destination countries | 173 |
| Annual passengers (M) | 474 (Total Frequent Flyer Members = 116) |
| Fleet size | 3,451 |
| Management |
|
| Alliance slogan | Caring more about You |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands |
| Website | www.skyteam.com |
SkyTeam, branded as SKYTEAM, is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands.[1][2][3] SkyTeam was founded in 2000 by Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air – 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 fifteen carriers from four continents, with the slogan "Caring more about you". SkyTeam also operates a cargo alliance called SkyTeam Cargo. As of October 2010[update], 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 joined 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 Aerolíneas Argentinas, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia to become full members. In January 2011, SkyTeam announced that Saudi Arabian Airlines and Middle East Airlines will also join SkyTeam in 2012.
As of September 2011[update], SkyTeam flies to 926 airports in 173 countries. It operates over 14,000 daily flights with a combined fleet of 3,400 aircraft (including associate carriers). Furthermore, the alliance has 465 lounges worldwide to serve its 474 million annual passengers. Besides its passenger-carrying business, SkyTeam also runs a separate cargo alliance – SkyTeam Cargo – which partners nine carriers who are all SkyTeam members.
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On 22 June 2000, representatives of the four founding carriers–Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air–held a meeting in New York to announce the founding of the third airline alliance, named SkyTeam.[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 Cargo.[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 improved website, focused on providing passengers with more information, increased interactivity, and other resources.[8]
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 in Kremlin, 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, said, "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]
Even though member CSA Czech Airlines pledged to help Malév Hungarian Airlines become an associate member of the alliance (as opposed to a full member, an associate has no voting rights), Malév 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 "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).[15] Every associate adopted a frequent flyer program of a full member: Copa Airlines already used Continental's OnePass while Kenya Airways and Air Europa used Air France-KLM's Flying Blue.
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 alliance.[16][17] 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 that Portugália 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.[18]
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.[19][20] China Southern Airlines joined SkyTeam on 15 November to become the 11th full member and the first carrier from Mainland China to join SkyTeam. Aeromexico's subsidiary Aerolitoral became Aeromexico Connect.
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 centralized management, based in Amsterdam.[21] The consortium also named a new Managing Director, Marie-Joseph Malé.[22] The alliance also outlined a timeline for 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,[23] after which Continental Airlines would join Star Alliance on 27 October.[24] At the time, it was rumoured that the switch was Continental's initial move in a United-Continental merger.[25]
To 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.[26] 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.[27] The announcement came after the airline's merger 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.[28] The airline, therefore, became the first SkyTeam carrier from Southeast Asia, where Star Alliance has a strong presence through Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. With an extra 20 unique destinations added to SkyTeam's route map, Vietnam Airlines helps strengthen the alliance's foothold in the region.[28]
On 22 June, the CEOs and Chairmen of the 13 member airlines gathered in New York to celebrate the alliance's 10th anniversary.[29] 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.[30] 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,[31] 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.[30] Three days later, TAROM officially became a member of SkyTeam.[32] As part of the celebration, SkyTeam offered reductions of round-the-world fares[33] and other promotions. Following the 10th anniversary, 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.[34]
| “ | In South America, India and Africa, it is clear there will be a significant battle for positioning to lure good carriers in your alliance. | ” |
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—Leo van Wijk, Chairman during a 10th anniversary event of SkyTeam[35] |
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During the year, Delta Air Lines offered billion to Japan Airlines after the Asian airline filed for bankruptcy due to billion debt,[36] at the same time lobbying Oneworld's largest member in Asia to switch to SkyTeam.[37] 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.[38]
On 14 September, SkyTeam received its second application for full membership within a 5-month timespan. China Airlines, the flag carrier and largest carrier of Republic of China, announced that it has formally started the joining process.[39] 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, Aerolíneas 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.[40][41][42]
On 1 November, Shanghai Airlines exited from Star Alliance to join SkyTeam in the future under its parent company, future SkyTeam member, China Eastern Airlines. 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 and Singapore Airlines.
On 10 January, SkyTeam announced that Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement to join the alliance in 2012. The airline will be SkyTeam’s first member from the Middle East, adding 35 new destinations to the alliance network. These new destinations are on the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Northern Africa. SkyTeam will compete with the Oneworld alliance and their member Royal Jordanian Airlines in the Middle East. On 19 January, SkyTeam announced that Middle East Airlines will join the alliance in 2012. Middle East Airlines flies to 30 destinations, primarily in the Middle East and West Africa, thereby further increasing the presence of SkyTeam in this region. Member airlines Delta and Air France-KLM appointed Goldman Sachs in late February, 2011 to advise them on a potential bid for Sir Richard Branson's 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic which could lead to the airline joining SkyTeam and would sharply increase the alliance's footprint in London. Rival alliance Star Alliance and Etihad Airlines are also investigating competing options with regard to Virgin Atlantic.[45]
China Eastern Airlines joined the alliance on 21 June 2011, along with its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines, becoming the overall 14th member.[46] Later in 2011, on 28 September, China Airlines joined the alliance, raising the number of full members to 15.
| Member airline | Country | Joined | Member affiliates | Non-member affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroflot | Russia |
|
Donavia | Orenair Rossiya SAT Airlines Vladivostok Avia |
| Aeroméxico[A] | Mexico |
|
Aeroméxico Connect | — |
| Air Europa | Spain |
|
– | — |
| Air France[A][B] | France |
|
Brit Air CityJet Régional |
transavia.com France (60%) |
| Alitalia | Italy |
|
Alitalia Express Alitalia CityLiner |
Air One S. C. |
| China Airlines | Taiwan |
|
Mandarin Airlines[C] | — |
| China Eastern Airlines | China |
|
Shanghai Airlines | China United Airlines |
| China Southern Airlines | China |
|
– | Chongqing Airlines Xiamen Airlines [D] |
| Czech Airlines | Czech Republic |
|
– | — |
| Delta Air Lines[A] | United States |
|
Delta Connection Delta Shuttle |
|
| Kenya Airways | Kenya |
|
– | — |
| KLM[B] | Netherlands |
|
KLM Cityhopper | transavia.com transavia.com France (40%) |
| Korean Air[A] | South Korea |
|
– | Jin Air |
| TAROM | Romania |
|
– | — |
| Vietnam Airlines | Vietnam |
|
– | Cambodia Angkor Air Vietnam Air Service Company |
A Founding member[47]
B Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are part of the airline holding company Air France-KLM
C Only flights operated by China Airlines aircrafts
D Xiamen Airlines will become a full member in late 2012.[48][49]
| Former member airline | Country | Joined | Exited | Member affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane[A] | Italy |
|
|
Alitalia Express Volareweb.com |
| Continental Airlines[B] | United States |
|
|
Continental Connection operated by: → Cape Air → Colgan Air → CommutAir → Gulfstream International Airlines Continental Express operated by: → Chautauqua Airlines → ExpressJet Airlines Continental Micronesia |
| Northwest Airlines[C] | United States |
|
|
Northwest Airlink |
A Alitalia re-launched operations in 2009
B Left the alliance to join Star Alliance with United Airlines
C Northwest Airlines' operating certificate was combined with Delta Air Lines'.
Northwest Airlines 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 |
|
|
Aeroméxico |
| Aeroméxico Travel[B] | Mexico |
|
|
Aeroméxico |
| Delta Express[C] | United States |
|
|
Delta Air Lines |
| Song Airlines[D] | United States |
|
|
Delta Air Lines |
| VLM Airlines[E] | Belgium |
|
|
Air France |
A A founding affiliate member and relaunched as Aeroméxico Connect.
B A former charter division, whose operations became part of Aeroméxico.
C A founding affiliate member. Replaced by Song Airlines.
D Song's operations became part of Delta's fleet.
E A founding affiliate member and merged with CityJet.
| Former associate member | Country | Joined | Exited | Member affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copa Airlines[A] | Panama |
|
|
AeroRepública |
A Left the alliance on 24 October 2009 and will join Star Alliance in mid-2012.
| Future member airline | Country | Joining | Member affiliates | Non-member affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerolíneas Argentinas[50][51][52][53] | Argentina | June 2012 | Austral Líneas Aéreas[53] | — |
| Garuda Indonesia[44][54][55] | Indonesia | March 2012 | – | Citilink |
| Middle East Airlines[56][57][58] | Lebanon | 2012 | – | — |
| Saudi Arabian Airlines[59][60] | Saudi Arabia | 2012 | – | — |
| Xiamen Airlines[48][49] | China | 2012 | – | — |
| Airline | Country | Member affiliates | Non-member affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Algérie[61] | Algeria | – | — |
| Air India[62] | India | Air India Regional | Air India Express |
| Gol Transportes Aéreos[63] | Brazil | VRG Linhas Aéreas | — |
| Jet Airways[63] | India | – | JetKonnect JetLite |
| Uzbekistan Airways[64] | Uzbekistan | – | — |
| Virgin Atlantic Airways[65] | United Kingdom | – | — |
| Virgin Australia[65] | Australia | Pacific Blue Airlines V Australia |
Virgin Samoa |
SkyTeam Cargo is a cargo division of SkyTeam. SkyTeam Cargo is the bigger of the world's two cargo alliances, ahead of its rival WOW Alliance. The cargo alliance partners nine members from the passenger alliance – Aeroflot Cargo, Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, China Southern Cargo, CSA Cargo, Delta Air Logistics, KLM Cargo and Korean Air Cargo.
| Serves | Airport | IATA | Terminal | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport | PEK | Terminal 2[66] |
|
| Seoul | Incheon International Airport | ICN | Concourse A (East side of the Main terminal) |
|
| Tokyo | Narita International Airport | NRT | Terminal 1 North Wing |
|
| City | Airport | IATA | Terminal | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | London Heathrow Airport | LHR | Terminal 4 | |
| Manchester | Manchester Airport | MAN | Terminal 2 |
|
| Frankfurt | Frankfurt Airport | FRA | Terminal 2 | |
| Paris | Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport | CDG | Terminals 2E and 2F2 (International) Terminals 2D and 2F1 (European) 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G (Air France) |
|
| Moscow | Sheremetyevo International Airport | SVO | Terminals D and E | |
| Barcelona | Barcelona Airport | BCN | Terminal 1 | |
| Madrid | Madrid-Barajas Airport | MAD | Terminal 1 (International) Terminal 2 (European and domestic) |
|
| Rome | Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport | FCO | Terminals 1 and 3 |
|
| Bucharest | Henri Coandă International Airport | OTP | Terminal 1 |
SkyTeam 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.
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:
SkyTeam 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:
| Member Airline | Frequent Flyer Program | SkyTeam Elite (Qualifying Tiers) |
SkyTeam Elite Plus (Qualifying Tiers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroflot | Aeroflot Bonus |
|
|
| Aeroméxico | Club Premier |
|
|
| Air Europa Air France Kenya Airways KLM TAROM |
Flying Blue |
|
|
| Alitalia | MilleMiglia |
|
Freccia Alata Plus |
| China Airlines | Dynasty Flyer |
|
Paragon |
| China Eastern Airlines | Eastern Miles |
|
|
| China Southern Airlines | Sky Pearl Club |
|
Platinum |
| Czech Airlines | OK Plus |
|
Platinum |
| Delta Air Lines | SkyMiles |
|
Platinum Medallion Diamond Medallion |
| Korean Air | SKYPASS |
|
Million Miler |
| Vietnam Airlines | Golden Lotus Plus |
|
|
SkyTeam launched in 2009 a special livery celebrating its 10th anniversary, with Delta Air Lines being the first airline in painting one of its aircraft with these colours. 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 December 2011[update], the SkyTeam livery is worn by 27 aircraft.
A The aircraft actually belongs to Aeroméxico Connect, an Aeroméxico subsidiary. Aeroméxico is hence the only member of the alliance with a SkyTeam livery for its affiliate.
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