SkyTeam

Schiphol World Trade Center, where SkyTeam is headquartered.

On 22 June 2000, representatives of Delta Air Lines, Aeroméxico, Air France, and Korean Air held a meeting in New York to form a third airline alliance.[12] These became the four founding carriers of SkyTeam. Upon its formation, SkyTeam would offer its customers a total of 6,402 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98 countries. In September 2000 (2000-09), the alliance established a cargo alliance, SkyTeam Cargo. The group's inaugural members were Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Delta Air Logistics and Korean Air Cargo.[12] The following month, the newly established airline alliance announced its intentions to incorporate CSA Czech Airlines as the 5th member in April the following year.[13]

The alliance saw the joining of CSA Czech Airlines on 25 March 2001;[14] Alitalia entered SkyTeam on 27 July the same year,[15] with its membership scheduled to become effective 1 November that year.[16] On 30 September 2001, the alliance received KLM's application for membership, following the airline's plans to create a leading airline group with Air France.[17] In 2003, Delta's subsidiary, Delta Express, was replaced by Song.[18][19] That same year, SkyTeam also launched an improved website focused on providing passengers with more information, increased interactivity and other resources.[20]

On 24 May 2004, Aeroflot, the flag carrier and principal airline of Russia, signed a memorandum of understanding with SkyTeam as it intended to become a full member. The event took place in Kremlin following the airline's application earlier in the year for membership.[21][22] SkyTeam expressed that Aeroflot has not met the consortium's standards, but that the airline's large hub networks made it ideal for the alliance, and made up for its deficiencies.[23]

On 28 August, China Southern Airlines, the largest carrier in the People's Republic of China, signed a preliminary agreement in Guangzhou in its bid to become a full member.[24] In the presence of a number of Chinese and airline officials, Yan Zhiqing, the chairman of China Southern Airlines, said, "This agreement-signing event is an important step forward into the future for China Southern Airlines to adapt itself to the need of further reforms and opening to the international community, as it will strengthen the airline's international cooperation and global competitiveness."

On 13 September, Continental Airlines, KLM and Northwest Airlines joined the alliance.[25][26] Their simultaneous entry was the largest expansion event in airline alliance history. As a result of the three new members, SkyTeam surpassed Oneworld to become the second largest airline alliance, serving more than 341 million customers with 14,320 daily flights to 658 destinations in 130 countries.[25]

Aeroflot Boeing 777 departs Hong Kong International Airport.

Even though member CSA Czech Airlines pledged to help Malév Hungarian Airlines become an associate member of the alliance (as opposed to a full member, an associate has no voting rights), Malév Hungarian Airlines opted to join the Oneworld airline alliance, signing a memorandum of understanding late in May. A few days later, SkyTeam announced four new associate members due to join by 2006, each one being "sponsored" by an existing member: Madrid-based Air Europa (sponsored by Air France), Panama-based Copa Airlines (sponsored and partly owned by Continental Airlines), Kenya Airways (sponsored and partly owned by KLM) and Romania's TAROM (sponsored by Alitalia).[27] Every associate adopted a frequent-flyer program of a full member: Copa Airlines already used Continental's OnePass;[28] Kenya Airways and Air Europa used Air France–KLM's Flying Blue.[29]

Following a 23-month joining process since May 2004 (2004-05),[30] Aeroflot joined on 14 April 2006.[31] It was the first Russian airline to be associated with any airline alliance.[32][33] Aeroflot has increased its operational standards, passing International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). Delta's subsidiary Song continued to operate as Delta Air Lines.[34] In June, it was announced that Portugália would become the alliance's next associate member candidate.[35] However, in November, rival airline and Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal, purchased 99.81% of the airline, bringing a sudden end to its candidacy.[36]

On 4 September 2007, Air Europa, Copa Airlines,[nb 1] and Kenya Airways became members of SkyTeam's Associate program,[37] which was launched to serve airlines in strategic regions which intended to become affiliated with the alliance.[38][39] China Southern Airlines joined SkyTeam on 15 November to become the 11th full member and the first carrier from China to join the alliance.[40][41]

An Alitalia Boeing 767-300ER in SkyTeam special livery on approach to Fiumicino Airport in 2009.

In June 2008 (2008-06),[42] following an agreement between Continental Airlines and United Airlines,[43] the former, as well as Copa Airlines, announced their intentions to move to Star Alliance after Continental's final flight with SkyTeam on 24 October 2009.[44][45][46] That day, as announced, Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines simultaneously left SkyTeam.[47][48] Continental Airlines joined Star Alliance three days later;[49] at the time, it was rumored that the switch was Continental's initial move in a United–Continental merger.[50]

In April 2009 (2009-04), the alliance signed a preliminary agreement with Vietnam Airlines for the airline to become a full member in 2010.[51] Also in 2009, Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane re-launched operations as the new Alitalia,[52] and the alliance announced initiatives towards a centralized management based in Amsterdam.[53] The consortium also named a new managing director, Marie-Joseph Malé, outlined a timeline for the opening of its co-located facilities at London Heathrow Airport, and unveiled a new special livery.[53]

To start off 2010, Northwest Airlines' and Delta Air Lines' operating certificates were officially combined on 1 January,[54] while on 9 March, China Southern Airlines announced its plans to join SkyTeam Cargo.[55][56][57] With membership expected to be granted in November the same year, the airline was to be the first Chinese carrier to join a global air cargo alliance.[55] On 16 April China Eastern Airlines announced its intention to join SkyTeam, with the official joining ceremony initially expected to occur by mid-2011.[58][59] The announcement came shortly after the airline's merger with Shanghai Airlines, a member of SkyTeam's rival Star Alliance.

A Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB sporting the SkyTeam special livery at Taoyuan International Airport.

On 10 June, Vietnam Airlines became a full member following a joining ceremony held in Hanoi.[60][61] The airline became the first SkyTeam carrier from Southeast Asia, where Star Alliance has a strong presence through Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International. With an extra 20 unique destinations added to SkyTeam's route map, Vietnam Airlines helped to strengthen the alliance's foothold in the region.[60]

A TAROM Boeing 737-700 in SkyTeam special livery on short final to Brussels Airport in 2011.

On 22 June, the CEOs and chairmen of the 13 member airlines gathered in New York to celebrate the alliance's 10th anniversary.[62] During its first decade of operation, the world's second largest airline alliance more than tripled its membership, doubled its flights and nearly doubled its destinations.[63] On the same day, SkyTeam announced that it had renewed its membership program, thereby upgrading Air Europa, Kenya Airways and TAROM statuses from associate to full members.[64] During the ceremony, the Board outlined its plans to recruit members from Latin America, South America and India.[63] Three days later, TAROM officially became the 13th SkyTeam member.[65] As a part of the celebration, SkyTeam offered reductions of round-the-world fares[66] and other promotions. Following the 10th anniversary, SkyTeam intended to enhance customers' travel experience and deepen cooperation among its members to supplement the expansion into regions that are yet to have SkyTeam members.[67]

In South America, India and Africa, it is clear there will be a significant battle for positioning to lure good carriers in your alliance.

— Leo van Wijk, chairman during a 10th anniversary event of SkyTeam[68]

Czech Airlines Boeing 737-500 in SkyTeam special livery in 2012.

During the year, Delta Air Lines offered US$1.02 billion to Japan Airlines after the Asian airline filed for bankruptcy due to US$26 billion debt,[69] at the same time lobbying Oneworld's largest member in Asia to switch to SkyTeam.[70] Delta, along with American Airlines, wanted Japan Airlines to be in their respective alliances to benefit from the U.S.–Japan Open Skies agreement. Eventually, Japan Airlines opted to remain at Oneworld, citing that the transfer to SkyTeam would confuse its passengers and may not gain antitrust immunity from U.S. regulators.[71]

SkyTeam received its second application for full membership within a five-month time-span. China Airlines, Taiwan's flag carrier and largest airline, announced in mid-September that it had formally started the joining process.[72][73][74] Upon joining, the airline's route network supplemented those of China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, allowing cooperation among the three airlines. The following month, Aerolíneas Argentinas signed an agreement to officially start the process of becoming the first South American SkyTeam member. The airline was set to join in 2012.[75][76][77]

On 1 November, Shanghai Airlines exited from Star Alliance to join SkyTeam in the future under its parent company, future SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines. This bolstered SkyTeam's presence in the People's Republic of China and surrounding areas, making the SkyTeam the number one alliance in the region.[78] Garuda Indonesia formally started its joining process on 23 November and was scheduled to be integrated by 2012.[79] Upon joining, the airline became the second Southeast Asian airline to join SkyTeam, therefore challenging Star Alliance's dominance in the region through Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines.

Membership of Xiamen Airlines was activated in November 2012 (2012-11).[80]

On 10 January 2011, Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012.[81] On 28 February the same year, Middle East Airlines agreed to join the alliance.[82][83] Member airlines Delta and Air France–KLM appointed Goldman Sachs in late February 2011 (2011-02) to advise them on a potential bid for Sir Richard Branson's 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic, which could lead to the airline joining SkyTeam and would sharply increase the alliance's footprint in London. Rivals Star Alliance and Etihad Airlines were also investigating competing options with regard to Virgin Atlantic.[84] China Eastern Airlines joined the alliance on 21 June 2011, along with its subsidiary, Shanghai Airlines, to become the 14th member.[85][86] Later in 2011, on 28 September, China Airlines joined the alliance.[87] In November the same year, Xiamen Airlines committed to be incorporated as a full member by the end of 2012,[88] with their entry supported by China Southern Airlines.[89]

A Saudia Airbus A330-300 taxing for takeoff at Atatürk Airport wearing the SkyTeam livery.

On 29 May 2012, Saudi Arabian Airlines became both the first carrier in joining the alliance in 2012 and the first one based in the Middle East, which brought the total members to 16.[90][91] The same day of its incorporation, Saudi Arabian Airlines was renamed to Saudia.[92] Middle East Airlines became the 17th member of the alliance a month later, following its incorporation on 28 June 2012.[93][94] On 29 August 2012, Aerolíneas Argentinas became the first South American and the second Latin American airline in joining the alliance,[95][96] bringing the number of members to 18.[97] Following its incorporation on 21 November 2012, Xiamen Airlines became the fourth member in Mainland China,[80] with the overall number of members in the alliance rising to 19.[98][99][100] In late June 2013 (2013-06), the Russian newspaper Kommersant published an article that mentions that Aeroflot was considering leaving the alliance over disagreements with Delta on the pricing on some routes to North America. The report also mentioned that the Russian carrier was considering joining Star Alliance.[101] In order to assess the benefits of the SkyTeam membership, a study was carried out in July; following it, the Aeroflot board reaffirmed its position within the alliance in September 2013 (2013-09).[102]

Garuda Indonesia became the 20th member of the alliance on 5 March 2014.[103][104][105] Garuda initially expected to gain SkyTeam membership in 2012, but the joining process took 40 months to be completed.[106]

In November 2018, China Southern Airlines announced that it would leave the alliance effective 31 December 2019 (2019-12-31).[107]

On 4 November 2019, the International Airlines Group (IAG) announced it was buying Air Europa for €1 billion and that the airline would leave SkyTeam if the deal succeeded.[108][109] The COVID-19 pandemic and antitrust concerns derailed the acquisition, though negotiations resumed in March 2022 when IAG agreed to grant Air Europa a €100 million loan convertible into a 20% stake.[110][111][112] In February 2023, negotiations were completed and IAG agreed to buy the remaining 80% stake in Air Europa (which it plans to keep as a separate brand but have managed by Iberia) for €400 million, subject to European regulatory approval.[113][114][115]

On 15 October 2021, Alitalia ceased operations, therefore departing the alliance.[116] Its successor, ITA Airways, joined SkyTeam on 29 October 2021.[117][118][119] In 2023, the Lufthansa Group, after confirming its initial acquisition of 41% of ITA Airways, said its plans included gaining total ownership of ITA's shares by 2028 and having the airline leave SkyTeam and join Star Alliance. Its plans, however, remain subject to approval by the European Commission.[120][121]

In February 2022, both Delta and KLM announced the suspension of their codesharing agreements with Aeroflot in connection with the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[122][123] Subsequently, on 27 April, SkyTeam and Aeroflot announced that Aeroflot's membership with the alliance was suspended.[124]

On 2 March 2023, Virgin Atlantic officially joined the alliance, making it the 19th member while Aeroflot remained suspended.[125]

On 3 October 2023, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced that a consortium of Castlelake, the Danish state, Air France–KLM and Lind Invest ApS will be the new majority shareholders of the company, and that it would eventually join the SkyTeam alliance, giving up their founding membership of Star Alliance.[126]

Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air are the four founding members of the alliance.

As of August 2023, the following airlines are members of SkyTeam:[127]

Member airline	Joined	Member affiliates
Aerolíneas Argentinas	29 August 2012[96]
Aeroméxico[nb 2]	22 June 2000
Air Europa	4 September 2007[37]
Air France[nb 2][nb 3]	22 June 2000
China Airlines	28 September 2011[87]
China Eastern Airlines	21 June 2011[86]	Shanghai Airlines[86]
Czech Airlines	25 March 2001[14]
Delta Air Lines[nb 2]	22 June 2000
Garuda Indonesia	5 March 2014[103]
ITA Airways	29 October 2021[118]
Kenya Airways	4 September 2007[37]
KLM[nb 3]	13 September 2004
Korean Air[nb 2]	22 June 2000
Middle East Airlines	28 June 2012[93]
Saudia	29 May 2012[91]
TAROM	25 June 2010[65]
Vietnam Airlines	10 June 2010[60]
Virgin Atlantic	2 March 2023[129]
XiamenAir	21 November 2012[100]