China Southern Airlines has formalised its commitment to the SkyTeam alliance and expects to become a full member in the second half of next year.
The carrier announced in 2004 that it intended to join. Securing a formal commitment from China Southern has taken longer than expected, but this has now come through after the signing of a Global Airline Alliance Adherence Agreement. As a result of the formal agreement, China Southern "anticipates that integration of its IT and frequent-flyer programmes will be completed and membership granted into SkyTeam in the latter half of 2007".
No Chinese airline has joined a global alliance to date, although both Air China and Shanghai Airlines are on course to becoming full members of the Star Alliance next year. ■
Source: Airline Business
