6-Sep-2010 10:12 AM
China Airlines plans to join Sky Team
China Airlines stated it would join the SkyTeam Alliance, with the CEOs of SkyTeam's 13 member airlines scheduled to visit Taiwan later this month and sign an LoI with the carrier (Taipei Times, 05-Sep-2010). After joining the alliance, the carrier stated it is expected to increase its destinations from 93 to 898 through codesharing with member airlines. The carrier added that its entry into the alliance would help reduce its operating costs, increase network flexibility and enhance revenues for the carrier. After the LoI is signed, there will be another six months of negotiations to finalise the details of the agreement.