SkyTeam HeadlinesU. S. Cargo Sales Joint Venture Applauds Decision by Alitalia to Join Air France, Delta, Korean Air
Action will Expand U.S. Services for Cargo Industry
ATLANTA, Oct. 6, 2003 - The U. S. Cargo Sales Joint Venture, formed by Air France, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Korean Air, today applauded Alitalia's decision to become the newest member of the Joint Venture. The four carriers also are members of the SkyTeam Cargo alliance with Aeromexico and CSA Czech Airlines.
The Joint Venture offers customers the benefits of a combined sales force, centralized reservation and service center, a comprehensive route network and a common product line.
In commenting on Alitalia's decision, Tony Charaf, Chairman of the Board, U.S. Cargo Sales Joint Venture, and senior vice president, Delta Air Logistics, said, "As a founding member of the Joint Venture, Delta Air Logistics is pleased with Alitalia's decision to join Air France, Korean Air and Delta in this business enterprise. Since we started the JV, we have focused on making sure that our customers receive the best service possible.
"The additional freighter capabilities of Alitalia, added to the capabilities of Korean Air and Air France, along with the lower deck lift provided by Delta Air Lines, will continue to give this cargo joint venture a wide range of strategic options as well as marketing abilities."
"We are pleased to welcome Alitalia into the Joint Venture," said Joint Venture CEO Bernard Frattini. Alitalia brings an extensive and efficient network to the Joint Venture with over 100 destinations world-wide. The focal point of their system is the Milan Malpensa hub, which together with the Rome Fiumicino sub-hub, ensures an efficient transit service with a dedicated cargo fleet using three B747-200 freighters."
Alitalia Cargo and Logistic, a division of Alitalia, is currently the seventh-ranked AEA Carrier, with around five percent of the European market and the 20th ranked IATA carrier. Alitalia Cargo's fleet is composed of three Boeing 747-200F and it also markets the entire belly-hold capacity of Alitalia's 186 passenger aircraft. The efficiency and dedication of its structure yields a high level of flexibility in determining tailor made logistic solutions for each customer. At the same time Alitalia provides a constant guarantee of internationally recognized care and reliability confirmed also by the Cargo 2000 Quality Certification. Alitalia Cargo joined the SkyTeam Cargo alliance in August 2001.
Air France is the third largest international passenger airline and the four largest international cargo airline. With a fleet of 255 aircrafts including nine B747-200Fs and three B747-400 ERFs, Air France Cargo offers 1,800 daily flights to 200 destinations in 91 countries. For more information, please go to www.afcargo.com.
As the world's second largest airline in terms of passengers, Delta Air Lines through its Delta Air Logistics division also offers extensive lower deck lift for cargo shippers worldwide with 6,130 flights each day to 453 destinations in 82 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta's worldwide partners. Delta, the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic and the largest commercial air transporter of U.S. domestic mail, is a founding member of SkyTeam Cargo, a global airline cargo alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, services and a common cargo product line. For more information, please go to deltacargo.com.
Korean Air is already the world's largest transpacific air freight carrier as well as one of the world's leading carriers overall. Korean Air was named "Cargo Airline of the Year" for 2003 by Air Transport World. Korean Air carried 6.2 billion FTK in 2002 with a fleet of 20 dedicated freighters, mostly comprised of 747-400Fs. Korean Air's cargo operation spans the world with dedicated cargo terminals at JFK, LAX, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as throughout Europe and Asia, carrying freight to 85 destinations in 29 countries. For more information, go to cargo.koreanair.com.
The Joint Venture is based in Atlanta with regional offices in Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and is managed and staffed by experienced cargo employees of all the carriers. The company is owned by Air France, Alitalia, Delta and Korean Air, and governed by a joint Board of Directors. The U.S. Cargo Sales Joint Venture is a unique and unprecedented common structure among worldwide cargo partners.
| 
