http://www.eturbonews.com/12992/skyt...ts-forces-asia

In respect to the above article, the CEO of AF-KLM has admitted that the alliance is relatively weak in south and southeast Asia so I don't understand why the alliance isn't pushing through the membership of China Airlines (CI) and Malaysian Airlines (MH). Vietnam Airlines was a good acquisition but it is a small airline which still needs time to grow. He boasts on how the airline has made significant aircraft orders but with the delays by Airbus and Boeing its going to be a long time until they actually get the planes and expand their destinations. I think Skyteam should have lured in members like CI and MH who already have a strong presence in Asia and connect to all major Skyteam hubs. Instead they are making Garuda a new partner who's destinations are also extremely limited. Not to mention they were just removed of the EU blacklist only a few months ago. He has also mentioned that talks with Indian carriers have been put on hold which I believe is a mistake. I believe that they should pick up Jet Airways (9W) and/or Kingfisher Airlines (IT) both known for their high product quality before oneworld snatches them up. MH and IT are among the six airlines who have been certified with 5 star status by Skytrax and with their entrance into the alliance would significantly improve Skyteams image. Skyteam needs to be like oneworld, more selective about their members unlike Star Alliance who just take everyone they can get.

That may be true but you still can't deny the fact that Star has some very decent airlines, if not some of the best, from each region. For instance, airlines like AC, CO, LH, LX, ANA, SQ, SAA, etc are all very competitive and reputable players in their respective region.

wont deny that star's got depth and ya some of their members are currently offering excellent products. What Skyteam has to do now is forge partnerships with airlines in regions where they are considerably weak in. Stars done a good job in taking all the major players but there are still some good airlines out there which Skyteam shoulnt overlook. I dont believe its neccesarily about the number of members you have but the strength each airline brings to a certain region. AF/KL cover Europe and DL/NW cover North America, CZ has a good hold in China and is expanding in Asia. I just feel with Star they have too many members with overlapping routes. I believe its more about picking strategic members. but thats just my opinion

Why?

The image is that they don't have much coverage. The way to improve that is to get more coverage. Then you worry about improving the quality.

As for "pushing through" the potential new partners that assumes that they actually want in and can afford to participate at the level that would be required.

What ever happened to China Airlines (CI)? THey were suppose to join in 2010. Already partners with DL. Would be a great airline to have and TPE is a decent airport to connect. The Dynasty Lounge of CI is nice with the noodle bar, made to order

CI is among the most dreaded airlines with casualties in most of Asia. Not a good pick. Many safety issues and EVA for TPE member would be far better.

I think CI(and EVA) won't be invite to any alliance, due to the Taiwain-Chinese relationship. Alliances-airlines don't want to be punished(maybe by refusing slots at Chinese airports). That's why also El Al isn't an alliance member, due to the Israeli-Middle East conflict.

Nah I dont think that would be the reason for CI or BR not to join an alliance. Relations with Taiwan have been improving especially with the launch of scheduled flights and they already have been cooperating with CZ (groundhandling, maintenance etc). Flights have been increasing on both sides with new destinations available in both China and Taiwan. Plus especially now with the recession both sides could use the boost(more Taiwan). Taiwans new government is pro-China so we might see their entry around 2011?

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-...16-704402.html

If I was SkyTeam I would not Let Garuda Indonesia join, & probably let MH or even PR ahead of them! I wouldn't risk my life flying with them, even though they are allowed back in the EU. I think CI also wants entry next year, I really want them to join!

Vietnam Airlines, yes is quite small but it is trying to expand and is considering flying to destinations such as LHR, PRG, BNE, PER, LAX, SFO & AMS. It will help SkyTeam's coverage in SE Asia, (even though it doesn't even fly to Indonesia). It would align SGN & HAN as SkyTeam HUBs, as SGN is in the middle of SEA which can be used as an advantage. This would actually take some flights off current BKK flights and be transferred to SGN which would build a new bigger airport the size of BKK called Long Thanh International, A new playground in Asia for SkyTeam.

Aren't you being a bit inconsistent ? You dont want GA to join because of their safety record , but you would be happy to have CI join with theirs ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_A..._and_accidents

Since 1970, the airline has averaged 6.44 fatal events per million flights, [14] while the worldwide average is under 2.0. [15]

August 12, 1970, Flight 206, a NAMC YS-11, struck a ridge while landing at Taipei, killing 14 people. This was the airline's first fatal accident.

November 20, 1971, Flight 825, a Caravelle aircraft, blew up after a bomb on it exploded, causing the deaths of 25 people over the Penghu Islands.

February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006, a Boeing 747SP, performed an uncontrolled descent over the Pacific Ocean resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.

February 16, 1986, Flight 2265, a Boeing 737, crashed in Makung, Penghu, killing 13.

October 26, 1989, a China Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed shortly after takeoff from Hualien, Taiwan. All 54 passengers and crew aboard were killed.

December 29, 1991, Flight 358, a Boeing 747 freighter, hit a hillside at Wanli, Taiwan after separation of its No.3 & 4 engines, killing five people.

November 4, 1993, Flight 605, a brand new Boeing 747-400, overran the Kai Tak Airport runway 13 while landing during a typhoon. It had touched down more than 2/3 down the runway and was unable to stop before the end of the runway, finishing up in Hong Kong harbour. All 396 people on board were safely evacuated but the aircraft was written off, the vertical stabilisers were dynamited away due to their interference with Kai Tak's ILS systems.

April 26, 1994, Flight 140, an Airbus A300, crashed while landing at Nagoya, Japan, killing 264 people.

February 16, 1998, Flight 676, an Airbus A300, crashed after a failed missed-approach at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard along with 9 on the ground, including Taiwan Central Bank chief Hsu Yuan-Dong.

August 22, 1999, Flight 642, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, flipped over while landing at Hong Kong airport during a typhoon. Three people were killed.

May 25, 2002, Flight 611, a Boeing 747-200B, broke up in mid-air on the way to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. All 206 passengers and 19 crew members died. The aircraft was the last 747-200 in China Airlines' fleet.

August 20, 2007, China Airlines Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800 inbound from Taipei caught fire shortly after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. After stopping on the tarmac, the engine started smoking and burning, and later exploded causing the aircraft to catch fire.

I think that would be the whats leftover alliance.