Who would be the next Skyteam member?
#724
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,290
Any news for which airlines who will join SkyTeam? It was so quiet and no one to hear the news about ME, SV, GA, MF, AR who will join the SkyTeam.
#725
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: pretty much everywhere
Programs: FB, MM, QM, ES, KF & LP / HH, HGP & SPG
Posts: 484
May - SV
June - ME
August - AR
November - MF
The Indonesian carrier is set to enter ST somewhere in the 1st Q of 2013, as their IT systems need an overhaul.
I expect to have a delay or two, but all in all these new carriers will be full ST members by the end of the year.
#730
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
My guesses (given Skyteam's stellar approach to recruiting quality airlines) would be:
TransAir Congo
Suriname Airways
MIA (not missing in action but Myanmar International Airlines)
Tropicair of Belize
Air Moldova
These will undoubtedly strengthen the Skyteam global reach.
TransAir Congo
Suriname Airways
MIA (not missing in action but Myanmar International Airlines)
Tropicair of Belize
Air Moldova
These will undoubtedly strengthen the Skyteam global reach.
#731
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: UA Mileage Plus: Premier Silver
Posts: 340
Cebu Pacific is a pure LCC, they wouldn't be interested in joining an alliance. PR maybe, but they are (slightly) more closely aligned with oneworld via Cathay Pacific. In addition, I don't think anyone is in a hurry to claim MNL as an alliance hub.
#732
#733
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: UA Mileage Plus: Premier Silver
Posts: 340
Yes, but they are more of a hybrid. Some of their planes even have a business class. Cebu Pacific is very much a pure LCC. In addition, what would Cebu Pacific (and Philippine Airlines for that matter) really add to any alliance network? All alliances already have presence at Manila and Cebu, if you were to add service to Kalibo and/or Caticlan for Boracay and maybe Davao, you would have the Philippines well covered for business and leisure. 5J is happy eating away at PR's market share. As far as PR goes, PR needs an alliance more then any alliance needs PR.
#734
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,088
With so many airlines based on the hub-and-spoke method, I am sure that many alliances wouldn't mind having LCCs in an alliance at all.
Thus, being an LCC does not preclude an airline from joining an alliance.