Who would be the next Skyteam member?
Nov 17, 2011, 10:17 am
#632
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Hangzhou, China
Programs: Sky Pearl Club, Eastern Miles, Phoenixmiles
Posts: 12
Next Member: Xiamen Airlines
It's confirmed on the Skyteam website that Xiamen Airlines will join end of 2012.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
Nov 17, 2011, 12:46 pm
#633
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,335
It's confirmed on the Skyteam website that Xiamen Airlines will join end of 2012.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
Nov 17, 2011, 10:00 pm
#635
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
Although it is certainly not bad news when Skyteam expands its roster of carriers, this addition leaves me rather indifferent. Not really what most of us would call "a great addition".
Nov 18, 2011, 3:26 pm
#636
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: QF, VN, SQ, SPG, IHG PG
Posts: 453
SkyTeam is trying to capture the majority of one of the fastest growing markets in the world, and with the addition of MF, along side FM, MU & CZ, SkyTeam will be the most dominant alliance with about 44% of all capacity in China. Having the 1st, 2nd & 4th largest airlines in the country is something to scream about! I'm pretty sure other alliances would have been highly envious in what ST has achieved in China.
Nov 19, 2011, 5:06 am
#637
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 491
When it comes to Indian airlines, I'm really glad that IT did NOT end up in ST. They're going to have a lot of problems going forward, not as bad as AI but still.
9W is a well run, top notch airline and they have big plans to join *A unless the government of India gets involved.
9W is a well run, top notch airline and they have big plans to join *A unless the government of India gets involved.
Nov 19, 2011, 3:00 pm
#639
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,797
It's confirmed on the Skyteam website that Xiamen Airlines will join end of 2012.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/P...Joins-SkyTeam/
Strangely there is a translation mistake: according to the Dutch article MF is the 4th largest airline in China whereas the English version claims that it's the 5th largest.
Nov 19, 2011, 10:22 pm
#642
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
Any new members are not likely to excite all Skyteam flyers.
Nov 19, 2011, 10:30 pm
#643
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
We heard great things about IT also. It's odd to hear IT's name in the same breath as AI, given the general feeling about AI. Personally, I have not had any problems with AI whenever I have used it, and I happen to like it. I wonder if the goodwill for 9W is not overblown as was goodwill for IT and distaste for AI. I also wonder how 9W would fare under stress similar to that faced by IT.
Nov 20, 2011, 12:44 am
#644
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,335
Nov 20, 2011, 12:56 am
#645
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 491
It'd be great to have 9W in ST as they have a huge network in India and would provide good foot holds in some traditionally non-ST markets (DEL, BOM, MAA, BRU) with great connection opportunities from the Northeastern part of North America, Europe and the Gulf.
What SkyTeam really needs to focus on is getting 9W and LATAM. It will be a formidable challenger if it bags both. It's nice that they've locked up China so well but India and South America are glaring deficiencies in ST at the moment.