Xiamen Airlines Plans to Join SkyTeam Alliance

Source: ATW Daily Online    Author: Katie Cantle    06/08/2011

Subject Concerned: Aircraft   Airlines   

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-800

China Southern Airlines subsidiary Xiamen Airlines plans to join SkyTeam, an industry insider told ATW.

CZ joined SkyTeam in November 2007. Xiamen operated a fleet of 71 Boeing aircraft as of April 30 and plans to expand its fleet to more than 130 aircraft by 2015. It operates five international routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and destinations in neighboring Northeast Asian countries.

Signaling its ambition to have greater international reach, Xiamen last month ordered six 787s. It plans to use the Dreamliners, slated for delivery in 2014 and 2015, to launch flights to Europe and the U.S. from its Xiamen base and Fuzhou. Joining SkyTeam is seen as way to further advance its international ambitions.

China Eastern Airlines and subsidiary Shanghai Airlines are scheduled to formally join SkyTeam June 21. Air China is also pressing ahead with requiring its majority-owned subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines to join Star Alliance.