 | SkyTeam Facts & Figures
Destinations: 898
2010In January, SkyTeam picked up the 2009 "Best Airline Alliance" Global Traveler Award for the fifth consecutive year. In March, SkyTeam was prominently present at the ITB Berlin. The ITB is the largest travel trade show in the world and attracts exhibitors, professionals, visitors and media from all sectors of the international travel and tourism industry. SkyTeam was a premium sponsor of the ITB Aviation Day, where executives and aviation industry experts elaborated on developments in the aviation industry. Mauro Oretti, Vice President Sales and Marketing, provided a SkyTeam perspective on the role of global alliances in fostering deeper integration among the world's airlines. In March, China Southern Airlines announced its plans to join SkyTeam Cargo. With full membership in SkyTeam Cargo expected before November this year, China Southern Airlines will become the first Chinese carrier to join a global air cargo alliance. In April, China Eastern Airlines announced its intention to join the SkyTeam Airline Alliance in 2011. With the addition of a second Chinese airline, SkyTeam customers worldwide will benefit from greater access to China and Asia Pacific. Current SkyTeam member China Southern already covers China through its hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing. Together with China Eastern and its hub in Shanghai, SkyTeam will be able to offer services out of the three major Chinese markets. China Eastern will bring 25 unique new destinations that will enrich SkyTeam's current network. In June, during festive ceremonies in Hanoi and Bucharest respectively, Vietnam Airlines and TAROM Romanian Air Transport officially joined the SkyTeam Airline Alliance. On June 22, SkyTeam marked a special milestone with 10th anniversary of the alliance. After being founded by four partners on 22 June 2000, SkyTeam has grown to an alliance thirteen members, now offering its 384 million annual passengers a worldwide system of approximately 13,000 daily flights covering 898 destinations in 169 countries. |     |
