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SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines, sets itself apart by offering an exclusive experience for all passengers. Issued monthly, SkyTeam NewsFlash provides media with key updates on alliance activities. Please read on for this month’s SkyTeam news.
SkyTeam provides more convenient travel out of Sao Paulo - As part of SkyTeam’s continued focus on making international travel efficient and hassle-free, four SkyTeam carriers serving Brazil are co-locating their services at Sao Paulo’s International Airport of Guarulhos (GRU). Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are operating out of the new facility, located in Terminal 1 Wing A of GRU, which was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on 9 October. The facility is also the first SkyTeam-centric co-location network-wide that features participating carriers equally.
The opening of the common-use ticket office in GRU is another step in a South America alliance initiative that began in 2002, which includes joint purchasing of ground handling services and co-location opportunities. In GRU, the SkyTeam carriers consolidated ground handling services to a single vendor, resulting in significant cost savings. The facility at GRU extended synergies for the participating carriers, who saved considerable costs by jointly funding the construction of the facility and sharing the operating expenses.
“GRU is a shining example of how carriers in an alliance can maximize their partnership, increasing alliance synergies and providing passengers with the highest quality service,” said Alejandro Somuano, chief planning officer at Aeromexico. “By working together, we have improved our ability to serve our customers and we saved money doing it.”
The new co-located facility permits SkyTeam to simplify the travel process for passengers on international flights originating from or connecting through Sao Paulo. Customers will enjoy flexible hours of operation, adapted to SkyTeam flight schedules for their convenience. The new modern facility is staffed with agents from each of the participating carriers and will streamline the travel experience by allowing customers to make or change reservations, purchase tickets and learn about the benefits of SkyTeam. The airlines will also share office space in the facility.
Offering excellent connectivity from Brazil to North America and to Europe, SkyTeam operates 75 weekly flights to and from Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo is the 41st co-location that is established or in development in the SkyTeam network. Other co-located facilities include the planned facility at London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) and existing facilities at Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
For more information on the SkyTeam network, visit www.skyteam.com.
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