SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has projected an increase of 18 per cent in membership co-operation for this year.

 

The increase is the result of more codeshares and bilateral agreements amongst its member airlines, benefiting global customers by offering more destinations and travel options, said a statement.

 

Michael Wisbrun, managing director, said: “This year, we anticipate that more than 26 million customers will be interlining passengers between member airlines thanks to increased collaboration. This increase in network extension within SkyTeam demonstrates that our strategy is working. We continue to focus on making greater use of our global network by encouraging further cooperation within the alliance, while developing network-wide customer initiatives to deliver seamless travel."

 

SkyTeam's role as an alliance is to add value to members' businesses while improving the travel experience for its 580 million annual passengers. 

 

The current SkyTeam customer-focused initiatives include SkyTransfer, SkyPriority, SkyPort and Commercial Synergies.

 

The SkyTransfer initiative creates efficiency during the transfer process for passengers and their baggage. The implementation process is ongoing in different stages at SkyTeam’s to p11 hubs for connecting traffic, featuring Connection Control Units and Transfer Service Centres which are a part of the projects under the initiative.

 

SkyPriority service includes benefits for customers like more priority immigration and security lanes, dedicated call centres and SkyPriority baggage desks. The existing exclusive lounges at London’s Heathrow and Istanbul’s Ataturk airports, joint check-in counters and airport ticketing offices worldwide are examples of successful airport synergies.

 

The company has created a competitive portfolio of products for its customers including an enhanced Round the World fare pass and numerous regional fare passes, offering flexible and cost-effective travel; global meetings, to respond to demand from the meetings incentives conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) industry for small as well as large-scale international events; and SkyTeam corporate contracts. 

 

"With our global network covering 90 per cent of the world's most relevant traffic flows, our focus has shifted to improving seamlessness and efficiency in our service delivery," said Wisbrun.

 

"The results of our progress to date are very positive, showing how our members are working together to deliver an aligned and superior level of service for customers traveling the world,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service