China Southern will be country's first carrier to join a global alliance grouping
SkyTeam is set to become the first global alliance to sign a Chinese airline as a partner with a membership commitment from China Southern Airlines.
Sources within existing SkyTeam member airlines said last week that China Southern was due to sign a memorandum of understanding on 28 August stating its intention to join. The sources said the deal was to have been signed at a ceremony at the airline's Guangzhou base also attended by top executives of Air France and Korean Air (KAL).
The airline, China's largest based on the number of passengers carried, already has strong ties to several SkyTeam member carriers, including codeshare deals with Air France, Delta Air Lines and KAL, and with future member KLM. China Southern has long been seen as a potential new member.
One source says it is unclear how long it will take before China Southern fulfils all membership criteria - including linking IT systems with those of other members - but estimates "up to two years".
All the major alliance groupings have for years been seeking a partner from among the Chinese "big three" club of Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern. The Chinese airlines have been hesitant to commit, however, as they have been busy integrating their operations with those of smaller airlines acquired through a government-supported industry consolidation.
Beijing-based Air China is closest to members of the Star Alliance, while Shanghai-based China Eastern is closest to Oneworld carriers. Neither has formally committed to its favoured grouping, however.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has revived plans to join a global alliance. Managing director Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan told the state-run Bernama news agency: "We have completed our study." He says MAS is now at a stage of "indicating our interests in joining" an unspecified grouping.
MAS has links with Oneworld and SkyTeam, which are seen as its only options. Two of MAS's key competitors, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International, are members of the Star Alliance.
NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
