After more than three years' negotiation, China Southern
Airlines has inked an agreement yesterday to become a member of the
SkyTeam Alliance, making it the first Chinese airlines to join a
global airlines alliance.
Currently there are three major airlines alliances: the Star
Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam.
Industry insiders said that airline alliances generate big
incomes for their members: member companies can reduce their fuel
costs via group purchases and get cheaper airport services through
joint negotiations. They can also build complementary air route
networks to attract more passengers.
Reportedly, Air China and Shanghai Airlines will join the Star
Alliance on December 12. China Eastern Airlines will also discuss
the matter with its new partner Singapore Airlines.
For more details, please read the full story in Chinese (
http://www.dfdaily.com/node2/node27/node120/userobject1ai39259.shtml).
(China.org.cn November 16, 2007)
