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1-Mar-2011 8:28 AM

Middle East Airlines to join SkyTeam in 2012

Middle East Airlines - Air Liban (MEA) signed (28-Feb-2011) an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. MEA will be the alliance's second member from the Middle East. SkyTeam is actively working to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and the addition of MEA to the alliance network aims to enable SkyTeam to compete more efficiently, not only within the Middle East, but also to/from western Africa. In Jan-2011, Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first airline in the region to announce its intention to join SkyTeam. [more - SkyTeam] [more - Delta]

MEA: "By joining SkyTeam, MEA being relatively a small airline, will now be able to provide its customers an extensive global network covering Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. MEA customers will benefit from SkyTeam members' loyalty programme as well as ST members lounges at all airports worldwide," Mohamad El-Hout, Chairman - Director General. Source: Company Statement, 28-Feb-2011.

SkyTeam: "Today marks yet another confirmation of SkyTeam's growing global family. The Middle East is a strategic market for our alliance as we continue to extend the SkyTeam network to all corners of the globe. The region has seen an impressive growth in traffic over the past decade and we want to engage actively in this expansion. I am convinced that MEA will develop into a significant and valuable player in Middle East aviation," Leo van Wijk, Chairman. Source: Company Statement, 28-Feb-2011.

SkyTeam: "This year China Airlines and China Eastern with its daughter company Shanghai Airlines will effectively join us, according to plan. Garuda Indonesia, Aerolineas Argentinas and Saudi Arabian Airlines have all confirmed their membership effective in 2012. We will continue to work on further expansion of our global network by looking for partners from India and Latin America," Marie-Joseph Male, MD. Source: Company Statement, 28-Feb-2011.

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