Business

SkyTeam Alliance Adds First Three Associate Airlines

posted: 04 September 2007 03:04 pm ET

: New SkyTeam Alliance associate airline Copa Airlines fleet of 35 jets includes Embraer 190s, Boeing 737-700s and 737-800s. The fleet serves a route network linking 40 destinations in 21 countries. One of Copa's Embraer 190s is seen here. Along with Kenya Airways and Spain's Air Europa, Copa Airlines became one of the first three SkyTeam associate airlines on Sept. 4, 2007. Credit: Embraer

Spain's Air Europa, Panama's Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways have become the first official associate airlines of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, under the alliance's Associate Program.

From Sept. 1, passengers traveling with any of the three carriers receive the same benefits as those offered to passengers traveling with the 10 current SkyTeam member airlines, including frequent flyer programs and improved access to airport lounges.

The SkyTeam Associate Program was launched to serve carriers in strategic regions who are interested in becoming affiliated with SkyTeam and its alliance benefits.

"The Associate Program allows the alliance to build a broader network and provide customers with access to additional regions of the world, while further expanding SkyTeam's offerings," said Leo van Wijk, chairman of the SkyTeam governing board. The three new associate airlines offer SkyTeam's passengers access to 47 additional destinations and nearly 500 additional daily flights, van Wijk added.

Earlier this year, Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways each signed an agreement outlining their commitment to meet a set of predetermined safety, security and quality standards that would allow each to be recognized as a SkyTeam associate airline.

As part of the Associate Program, the carriers also adopted a current member's loyalty program. Air Europa and Kenya Airways recognized Air France-KLM's "Flying Blue" program, while Copa Airlines accepted Continental Airlines' "One Pass" program. Upon completion of all membership requirements, each associate airline candidate received a formal approval from the SkyTeam Governing Board to become an official associate.

The SkyTeam associate airlines operate under the direction of a sponsor member, which represents the interests of the associate airline in all decision-making situations and serves as the liaison between the associate and other alliance members.

SkyTeam is preparing for the addition of China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People's Republic of China, as a full member later this year. Alliance members carried 378.4 million passengers last year.

The alliance's existing members include Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines, as well as the three new associate airlines.

Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its passengers a worldwide system of 15,089 daily flights, covering 791 destinations in 162 countries.

With a fleet of 37 aircraft, Air Europa serves over 9 million passengers annually and flies to 44 destinations in 15 countries, including destinations throughout Spain and Western Europe as well as cities in North Africa and Latin America.

Copa Airlines operates 35 aircraft and offers some 126 daily scheduled flights to 40 destinations in 21 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In addition, Copa Airlines provides passengers with access to flights to more than 120 other international destinations through codeshare agreements with Continental Airlines and other airlines.

Kenya Airways serves more than 2.6 million passengers annually and flies to 43 destinations in 36 countries with a fleet of 23 aircraft. Its destinations include cities throughout Africa, as well as Amsterdam, Paris and London. The airline also serves several destinations in Asia, including Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Bangkok.