Malev to join "Wings" alliance with KLM, Northwest
 

Malev to join "Wings" alliance with KLM, Northwest

Dutch national carrier KLM and Hungary's Malev [MALV.UL] signed a deal on Monday to extend their cooperation, a big step towards Malev joining the ``Wings'' alliance set up in 1989 by KLM and number four U.S. carrier Northwest Airlines(NasdaqNM:NWAC - news).

``This agreement also enables Malev to enter into a cooperation with Northwest in the near future,'' Malev said in a statement, adding the deal would help the carriers boost their market position and financial results.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/011015/l15315861_1.html

I guess if KL can't come to an agreement with BA or AZ, Malev is the next logical choice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

http://about.klm.com/news/newsitems/...1015175915.asp


Malév and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines signed a framework agreement on enhanced cooperation. This was done today in Budapest in the presence of Mrs. Annemarie Jorritsma, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, and dr. István Stumpf, Hungarian Minister of Prime Ministers Office. This agreement allows both airlines to expand the existing codeshare cooperation on flights between their Budapest and Amsterdam hubs to destinations beyond those hubs. Furthermore, Malév and KLM will link their loyalty programs, will share their marketing and sales activities in selected markets and will pursue synergies in a number of other areas. This agreement also enables Malév to enter into a cooperation with Northwest Airlines in the near future. The main intent of parties in intensifying the cooperation is to strengthen their own market positions and results. It is the first and most important step for Malév to become a more integrated player in the global airline business.


Málev and KLM initiated their partnership in December 2000, when they signed a code-share agreement on the Budapest – Amsterdam route. They jointly operate four daily return services between both hubs. This beneficial and fruitful partnership was one of the reasons why both airlines decided to further develop and broaden their relationship.

Implementation of the framework agreement will begin immediately and will become visible to passengers in the first half of 2002.


„This enhanced agreement assures KLM of a strong strategic position in Central and Eastern Europe and gives us access to many new markets", said KLM’s Executive Vice-President Passenger Division Henny Essenberg. „Furthermore it is an important impulse for the further development of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol as KLM’s hub and one of Europe’s most important mainports."


„The KLM-Malév co-operation will provide us with the accessibility of a well developed European and global network, and will strengthen our passenger appeal in Hungary, Europe and North America It will also help us drive the implementation of our restructuring program and contribute to Malév’s future development as a strong-hold in Central-Eastern Europe." said József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Malév.