What the writer of the article fails to realize is that Saudia joining SkyTeam helps to fill a big hole in the SkyTeam network.

There are MILLIONS of South Asians (Indians, Pakistani, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans) who live in the United States. With Saudia, SkyTeam now finally offers them an option for traveling to South Asia that was lacking before.

http://www.saudiairlines.com/static_...tworkMap_L.jpg