Delta Air Lines sees room for a further three to five airlines to join the recently launched SkyTeam global alliance, with rival Star Alliance member Thai Airways International among those topping the list.
SkyTeam numbers five members with the recent admission of CSA Czech Airlines. "The perfect number is between eight and 10 members. Obviously we have a deficiency in South-East Asia and we would love to have a Brazilian partner, and maybe one other in Europe would be our principal targets," says Leo Mullin, Delta chairman and chief executive.
Thai is viewed as a prospective defector to SkyTeam, particularly given the widely accepted perception that the airline's importance has been reduced with regional rival Singapore Airlines joining Star.
"Thai certainly would be one, but they would have to resolve their own issues with respect to privatisation and relations to Star," says Mullin. Elsewhere, Brazilian carriers TAM and Transbrazil maintain close relations with Air France and Delta respectively, while in Europe, Aeroflot and Alitalia continue to search for partners.
Mullin anticipates SkyTeam founding partner Korean Air playing a fully integrated role in a "short period of time". The Korean carrier's codeshares have been suspended while it tries to improve its poor safety record. "I think they're making terrific progress," says Mullin.
Source: Flight International
