The Europe-South Asia and the North America-South Asia markets are both very large and both VERY under served by SkyTeam.
Saudi Arabian airlines will help.
Right now, assuming the price is about the same...would my relatives in North America ever choose Saudi Arabian over Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar? NO!
BUT would they choose it if they could get SkyMiles? Perhaps...
Right now some choose Turkish to be able to get *A miles... My own mother often flies Emirates because she would get Continental miles...I haven't the heart to tell her that CO and Emirates have ended their agreement...