First Southeast Asian member adds 20 new destinations to SkyTeam network. Vietnam Airlines passengers benefit from improved access to every region ofthe world
Hanoi, 10 June 2010 - During a ceremony held in Hanoi today,Vietnam Airlines officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance.
SkyTeam is increasing its focus on Asia as a whole, and by welcomingits first member in Southeast Asia, the alliance significantlystrengthens its network reach in the region.
Joining SkyTeam marks an important step toward Vietnam Airlines' futuregrowth. It will bring passengers convenient and seamless service ofinternational standards to a global network covering more than 850 destinations in 169 countries. Vietnam Airlines customers can earn and redeem frequent flyer miles when traveling on flights of all other SkyTeam member airlines. Customers from the other SkyTeam frequent flyer programscan achieve the same when flying Vietnam Airlines.As part of the joining ceremony, attended by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, senior government officials and representatives from SkyTeam member airlines, Vietnam Airlines unveiled its first aircraft inSkyTeam livery to commemorate its membership in the alliance. "The joining today reaffirms Vietnam Airlines' position as a major carrier in the SoutheastAsian region as well as a strategic partner of SkyTeam," said Dr. Pham NgocMinh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines. "Our cooperation will helpfurther develop SkyTeam and its member airlines, generating valuablebenefits for our passengers and making greater contributions to theinternational economic integration of Vietnam."
"We are proud to welcome the first carrier from Southeast Asia in our midsttoday," said Leo van Wijk, Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board. "Asiais an important and strategic growth market for SkyTeam and we well are ontrack to strengthen our network offering in this part of the world. Togetherwith our current members China Southern and Korean Air and future memberChina Eastern, Vietnam Airlines brings us closer to becoming the leadingalliance for Asia. By adding 20 new destinations to the SkyTeam network, the joining of Vietnam Airlines marks an important step in this direction."
"Apart from adding new destinations to our SkyTeam Round the World Pass,Vietnam Airlines will enrich the opportunities of our Asia Pass, enablingcustomers to travel through Asia on a single ticket in a more economical way," said Marie-Joseph Malé, SkyTeam's Managing Director. "Furthermore,Vietnam Airlines will be included in all our global deals we offer our corporateclients. Our newest member will also be part of SkyTeam Global Meetings, ourservice providing event organizers with helpful planning tools to bring peopletogether from all over the world."During the last 14 months Vietnam Airlines has worked intensively to fulfil lthe alliances' membership requirements, ranging from customer service elements such as the recognition of frequent flyer programs, lounge accessand priority baggage handling, to establishing codeshare agreements withSkyTeam members. After Vietnam Airlines successfully passed the requiredaudit in May, the SkyTeam Governing Board officially approved themembership.
About Vietnam Airlines
As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in Hanoi, VietnamAirlines flies 75 routes to 20 domestic and 26 international destinations withmore than 290 daily flights. Operating the young fleet of 70 modern aircraftsmainly including Boeing 777, Airbus A330, A321/320s, the airline expects tofurther expand its fleet to 115 and 165 aircrafts by 2015 and 2020,respectively.
www.vietnamairlines.com.
About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlinesaccess to an extensive global network with more destinations, morefrequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem FrequentFlyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam Member airlines offercustomers over 415 lounges worldwide.
The ten members are: Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta AirLines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines. Additionally,SkyTeam has two Associate Airlines: Air Europa and Kenya Airways. SkyTeamoffers its 393 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than13,000 daily flights to 884 destinations in 169 countries. SkyTeam celebratesits 10th anniversary in June 2010.
www.skyteam.com