VN Airlines joins global alliance

Vietnam Airlines is expected to become a full member of SkyTeam later this month, the world’s second largest airline alliance, making it the first Southeast Asian carrier to be chosen to join the alliance.
The official joining ceremony with the participation of senior Governmental officials and other SkyTeam members will take place in Ha Noi, the national flag carrier reported.
"Becoming an official member of SkyTeam is an important step towards implementing Vietnam Airlines’ long-term development strategy and ensuring world-standard service quality on par with other leading airlines in the world," said Duong Tri Thanh, executive vice president of Vietnam Airlines.
SkyTeam now has nine members: Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Korean Air, and two associate members: Air Europa, and Kenya Airways with its flight networks reaching 856 destinations and 169 countries.
SkyTeam has served over 384 million passengers with 13,133 flights each day, accounting for 24 per cent of the global market share.
The event will help enhance Vietnam Airlines’ image and reputation in the international aviation market, Thanh said.
"Joining the alliance will also provide Vietnam Airlines with opportunities to expand its flight networks and provide its services in many major markets in the world (especially America, Europe and Africa where its direct flight routes have not reached) through code sharing, collaboration in using resources, offices, and other airport services."
This will help Vietnam Airlines cut operating costs and at the same time improve service quality, enhance business efficiency and ensure customer benefits, he added.
Vietnam Airlines will also receive support from other SkyTeam members in terms of resources, expertise and experience in order to meet the requirements and standards of the alliance.
Members of SkyTeam have the common aim of providing seamless services and ensuring customer benefits. They have committed to providing their support and facilities to customers of other members within the alliance’s flight networks.
Vietnam Airlines and the alliance signed a preliminary agreement in April 2009 as the first step towards full membership of SkyTeam.
To ensure the success of the accession process, Vietnam Airlines established a steering and co-ordinating committee to develop high-quality human resources, remodel IT systems, design a Vietnam Airlines-SkyTeam logo, conduct a customer survey and sign joint contracts with alliance members among others in a bid to satisfy the requirements for joining SkyTeam.
One of the most important and compulsory requirements for alliance access is that Vietnam Airlines must sign co-operation contracts with all SkyTeam members in fields such as code share, frequent flyer programmes and lounge usage. The carrier has also modified its own frequent flyer programme to meet the alliance’s requirements.
Vietnam Airlines now operates 70 routes for domestic and international destinations with more than 220 daily flights and a young fleet of 70 modern aircraft. It expects to expand its fleet to 115 and 165 aircraft by 2015 and 2020, respectively.