Additional Members
 

"Air France President Pierre-Henri Gourgeon told Reuters earlier in the week that the grouping expected to add additional members by the end of the year." from CNN.

Aeroflot?

CSA! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000012.html

oh great.

I'm sure it will be Aeroflot. That might not be a bad thing. They're so hell bent on improving service, they might actually offer better service than AF! Obviously, they won't have the network the AF has though.

I'm still hoping that the rumored DL-BA talks go through.

No mention of South African, but I suppose this is assumed. SAA is a good airline, and coverage of Africa is basically secured with them (remember, Star Alliance actually wanted these guys) as well as Air France. Clearly, DL's been late on a lot of this stuff; but once CO's added to the fold... at least the route network will look nice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

SAA and Virgin would improve things.... other than that it's still a struggle. Personally, I will be very surprised if any of these US mergers take place (US/UA and AA/NW are the most likely, if at all).

As for BA/DL, don't bet your house on it.

"no mention of South African, but I suppose this is assumed"

I definitely would not assume that. SR has a 25% stake in SAA and would I'm sure block them from joining the alliance. SR can probably tolerate the code-sharing with DL, but code-sharing with AF in addition to SAA-SR - no!!!

but SR themselves are now (as their President Brugisser said so last week) seriously 'thinking' about bringing their 'Airline-Business' (without the now higher valued 'other business' like Catering, Hotels, RealEstates, etc. etc.) into a 'larger house' ...

Rudi, do you think that SR might like SU's presence in Eastern Europe and the western CIS?

I think CSA and SAA will be next, but other airlines for your consideration (all from AF's partners page) are:

• JJ - TAM (Brazil)
• AI - Air India
• MA - Malev
• AT - Royal Air Maroc (now a DL codeshare)
• TX - Air Guadeloupe (Carribean) (AF sub?)
• DM - Maersk Air (Denmark) and other european regionals.
• VX - ACES (Colombia)
• ?? - Aeropostal (Venezuella) (DL semi-codeshare)

The better ones are TAM, R.A. Maroc, and perhaps Air Guadeloupe for sorely lacking Carribean coverage. I don't know much about AI except that my Indian Business partner always flys Delta to India.

[This message has been edited by ryanDLGM (edited 06-28-2000).]

Having experienced VX and VH first-hand, I would welcome VX's inclusion and VH's exclusion in the SkyTeam alliance.

If the alliance significantly increases VX's revenue, VX might expand their service within Latin America and North America.

As noted, it was reported nearly 2 weeks ago that CSA was engaged in ongoing talks to join Skyteam! Another coup! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Nicely decorated aircraft! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif