SkyTeam seeks to expand, land China Eastern
As SkyTeam looks to grow in emerging markets, the global airline alliance is hoping to add China Eastern Airlines as its newest member, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

“China Eastern has expressed its interest to join an alliance,” Marie-Joseph Male, managing director-SkyTeam, told Dow Jones. “I think we offer the best airlines and network to China Eastern, but it is up to them to decide, of course.”

A China Eastern spokesman said the carrier was in discussions with the SkyTeam, Star Alliance and oneworld, but declined to say if there was a preference toward any one, the article reported.

SkyTeam already boasts a strong foothold in China. Its members include China Southern, China’s biggest airline by revenue, the article said.

Even so, growth is a strategic priority for SkyTeam, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, making it the youngest of the three global airline alliances. The alliance has 11 members but is looking to increase that number.

In addition to China Southern, other members include Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Alitalia, Aeromexico, Aeroflot, Czech Airlines and associate members Air Europa and Kenya Airways. This year, the alliance will add Vietnam Airlines as well as Romania’s Tarom, which will strengthen its position in Eastern Europe.

“We don’t need to be the biggest alliance; we want to be the best,” Marie-Joseph said during an interview at the SkyTeam office in the World Trade Centre at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. “We are looking to add quality airlines and quality networks for our customers. We look for complementary – not overlapping – markets and networks, and we want to offer our customers seamless service on convenient hubs in our global network.”