Aeroflot again trying to squeeze into SkyTeam
Russia's Aeroflot to have "strategic alliance" with Air France, Delta
Source: BBC Monitoring Former Soviet Union - Political Publication date: 2000-10-26
Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax
Moscow, 26th October: The creation of a global alliance between Aeroflot and Air France will probably be discussed by President Vladimir Putin and French President Jacques Chirac during Putin's visit to France, the general director of the major Russian airline said.
The managing committee of the two airlines met on 13th October, Valeriy Okulov told a news conference today. Aeroflot has made great progress in establishing a strategic alliance with Air France, Okulov said. Aeroflot plans to increase its presence in Africa and South America using the French airline's network.
Okulov said Aeroflot would carry passengers from Europe to Russia in conjunction with Air France. Aeroflot will then carry passengers from Moscow to other destinations in Russia, the CIS and Southeast Asia.
Aeroflot is also establishing close ties with Delta, Okulov said. The Russian airline hopes that these ties will lead to a three-way alliance between itself, Air France and Delta.