Alliance welcomes first South American airline as 18th member, continues to focus on finding growth opportunities on the continent
SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, today welcomes Aerol?neas Argentinas as its 18th member. The national airline of Argentina ? South America?s second largest economy – Aerol?neas Argentinas becomes SkyTeam?s first South American member, adding 40 new destinations to the SkyTeam network.
?We are pleased to be bringing our Argentinean customers access to a greater worldwide network. Today also marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen our South American network,? said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam?s Managing Director. ?With the rapidly growing demand for travel to South America and Argentina, Aerol?neas Argentinas adds real value to our alliance by opening up extensive business and leisure travel opportunities for our customers?.
?Looking forward, we will continue to focus on this continent. Our founding members Delta and Aerom?xico are significant players in the Latin American market and are leading the way in terms of finding new opportunities in this region,? said Mr. Wisbrun. ?Delta has expanded its cooperation with Brazil?s GOL and Aerom?xico, by building ground-breaking commercial agreements. These will pave the way for further opportunities for SkyTeam and our customers?.
Joining SkyTeam is a major achievement in Aerol?neas Argentinas? long-term restructuring plan. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and network rationalization, upgrading the entire IT platform, improving product quality and enhancing the frequent flyer program Aerol?neas Plus.
Aerol?neas Argentinas operates services to 52 destinations in 14 countries from its two hubs at Buenos Aires, including a comprehensive domestic network of 35 destinations within Argentina itself. These include popular tourist attractions such as: the Patagonian capital of Ushuaia, the spectacular Iguazu falls, the world-renowned wine producing region of Mendoza, as well as the industrial centers of C?rdoba and Rosario.
Buenos Aires is served by six existing SkyTeam members ? Aerom?xico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines and KLM – all offering regular scheduled services to and from North America and Europe. Altogether, SkyTeam carriers now offer 123 daily departures from Buenos Aires to 53 destinations around the globe.
Customers traveling on SkyTeam?s Go Round the World pass now benefit from even more seamless travel throughout six continents. Aerol?neas Argentinas operates direct flights from Buenos Aires to Sydney, meaning for the first time customers can fly non-stop between South America and Australia as part of a SkyTeam Round the World itinerary.
In keeping with SkyTeam?s focus on enriching the customer experience, Aerol?neas Argentinas will implement SkyPriority ? SkyTeam priority airport services for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide – by the end of 2012. Effective immediately, Aerol?neas Argentinas customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines? frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Aerol?neas Argentinas operated flights.