China Airlines (CAL), Taiwan’s largest international carrier, yesterday said it would join Sky Team Alliance to better serve its passengers by providing a wider range of services.
Chief executives of Sky Team’s 13 member airlines are scheduled to visit Taiwan later this month and sign a letter of intent with CAL.
CAL said it would become the first Taiwanese carrier to join Sky Team and that the alliance’s logo would be carried on the CAL fleet.
Sky Team, one of the world’s three major airline alliances, was founded in June 2000. It currently provides approximately 13,000 flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries every day.
Among its member airlines are Aeroflot-Russian Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Romanian Air Transport and Vietnam Airlines.
After joining the alliance, CAL said, it is expected to increase its destinations from the current 93 to 898 through code sharing with other member airlines.
In addition, CAL passengers will be able to collect mileage points through the alliance’s frequent flyer program and will be allowed use of the airport lounges operated by Sky Team members, it said.
CAL said its entry to Sky Team would help cut its operating costs because member carriers can share maintenance facilities, adding that it would have more flexibility when arranging its flight schedule.
After the letter of intent has been signed, there will be another six months of negotiations to finalize the details of the agreement, CAL said.
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