Xiamen Airlines to cooperate with other SkyTeam members to expand int'l network

Xiamen Airlines chairman Che Shanglun stated the carrier joining the SkyTeam alliance will allow it to cooperate with other alliance members to expand the carrier's international route network, according to a report from Xiamen Daily. Xiamen Airlines is scheduled to join the global alliance today (21-Nov-2012). After joining the global alliance, Xiamen Airlines' network will expand to 926 destinations in 173 countries and territories through the SkyTeam network. Xiamen Airlines, which has been profitable for 25 consecutive years, currently has total assets of CNY23.0 billion (USD3.6 billion) and operates a fleet of 90 aircraft. By 2015, Xiamen Airlines will expand its annual revenue to CNY30 billion (USD4.7 billion), transporting more than 30 million passengers and 300,000 tonnes of cargo p/a. Xiamen Airlines also stated it has commenced preparations for the delivery of the Boeing 787 aircraft, which the carrier plans to use to launch long-haul international services to Europe, North America and Oceania from 2014.