China Southern Airlines has become the first Chinese carrier to join one of the three global airline alliances in an effort to better participate in international competition.
China Southern officially joins SkyTeam, becoming its 11th full member and part of a worldwide system with 16,400 daily flights and approximately 428 million annual passengers, Nov 15, 2007. [newsphoto]
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In a ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People yesterday, China Southern officially joined SkyTeam, becoming its 11th full member and part of a worldwide system with 16,400 daily flights and approximately 428 million annual passengers.
"SkyTeam is known for its unrivaled global connectivity, and as a member, we can better serve our customers, particularly as the 2008 Beijing Olympics approaches," said Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Southern, one of the largest airlines in China, headquartered in Guangzhou and with a major hub in Beijing. It operates Terminal One of Beijing Capital International Airport.
The addition of China Southern also bolsters SkyTeam's global reach. "Our extensive intra-Asia network serves as a powerful link in SkyTeam's robust global network," said Liu.
Leo van Wijk, chairman of SkyTeam Governing Board, welcomes the Chinese member as a chance to open special "alliance lounges" in Beijing and Shanghai, as it has done in London's Heathrow Airport, and to "offer our customers unparalleled access to the markets they want to reach".
