legalflyer

It's only available in Indonesian, but according to google's translator, Garuda will hold a signing ceremony to commit to join SkyTeam on November 23.

http://www.suarakarya-online.com/news.html?id=264258

jwhuffman

Here is the English version:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...m-partner.html

legalflyer

I wonder if this indicates any momentum for Jet to join SkyTeam.

http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/10624/27/

rionio77

Thanks for posting that. I think it does indicate significant momentum to having Jet join Skyteam. At the moment, it's doubtful Jet will remain independent, and joining *A with Air India makes absolutely no sense.

Unlike the US market, where there's a huge hub-and-spoke system surrounded around many major cities (for international traffic, specifically), almost all of the international traffic for Jet, Air India and Kingfisher come out of the same two airports: Mumbai and Delhi. Even in China, the 3 main carriers, CZ (Guangzhou), CA (Beijing), and MU (Shanghai) operate hubs at different airports. Indian carriers compete way too much for traffic to AND from the same destinations. Two Indian carriers in the same alliance makes no sense IMO.

STelite

Any news regarding Avianca? Last heard they were leaning towards Star but im assuming it wasn't true?

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...-alliance.html

ferd57

Just read an article today which stated Middle East Airlines' "stalled move into SkyTeam appears to be gaining pace as it is now being lined up for full membership, enabling it to keep its frequent flyer scheme. This was the major impasse and it could now join in 2012."


link: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...ddle-east.html

rionio77

No offense, but it seems as though Middle East Airlines would add very little to Skyteam. With a fleet size of 15 and only 30 destinations, I hardly see the value from the ST perspective. MEA doesn't fly east of the UAE, not even to Oman, India or anywhere in South, Southeast, or East Asia. They don't even fly to Ethiopia or anywhere in neighboring East Africa. I think it makes more sense for ST to court Gulf Air or Ethiad given their much wider route network.

Supersonic Swinger

Although it will probably all be called "China Eastern" by next year, Shanghai Airlines formally announce they're headed for Skyteam

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance...a-eastern-1101

N830MH

Could be possible to joining into Skyteam sometimes in near the future. There is no specific date to be set yet. I think its likely MU will joins into the SkyTeam in between 2011 or 2012 timelines. It will have consider to joins the SkyTeam, if necessarily.

Great!! One step closering to joining into SkyTeam for next few years later.

Yes, of course they did. I believe they leaning towards to Star Alliance, if necessary. If there is possiblities to gets approvals from Member of the boards. I can't guaranteed AV & TA isn't joins the alliance. Isn't one of them.

UMD

Although it has not yet been announced neither been confirmed by Skyteam, GA's direction towards Skyteam seems very strong especially in GA's homebase in CGK where KLM, Korean Air, and China Airlines all use the same T2E concourse at the airport.

Let's see if there will be any announcement on the 23rd of this month as per schedule out of Jakarta. The plan is for Skyteam and Garuda to announce before the end of this month and for Garuda to be fully integrated into Skyteam mid 2012.

legalflyer

Recently, the president of Avianca-TACA said it will make a decision on alliances before the end of the year. He doesn't give a clue as to which alliance.

http://www.portafolio.com.co/economi...inta_8254221-3 [Spanish]

legalflyer

The CEO of Air France met with MEA on the 1st to celebrate their code-sharing and finalize arrangements for MEA to join SkyTeam, which is expected in 2011. I assume that means we'll get an announcement in 2011 and MEA will join later, but the article is unclear.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/categor...e_Skyteam.html [French]

legalflyer

Saudia is in "advanced" negotiations with one of the three alliances and expects to complete the negotiations soon. The article doesn't say if it is SkyTeam or one of the other two.

http://arabnews.com/economy/article179595.ece

irishguy28

But it HAS been confirmed, with a 2011 expected entry.

http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20101101.html

AHO

http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20101019.html