Skyteam Alliance Expands Customer Connections Around The World

SkyTeam Members Introduce New Asian Hub at Incheon International Airport in Seoul

Continuing with its goal to offer customers seamless connections to the world’s leading destinations, Korean Air, in conjunction with SkyTeam members Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and CSA Czech Airlines -- who will become an official member on March 25 -- today presented their new hub at Incheon International Airport. SkyTeam carriers will be co-located in the same terminal, with shared airport facilities and lounges providing additional convenience to the alliance’s passengers, when the airport opens on March 29th.

"This is an exciting day for Korean Air, SkyTeam and travelers everywhere," said Yang-Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air. "We are pleased to be Incheon’s flagship carrier, providing global customers with unequaled access to Asia and the world."

Access to World’s Leading Destinations

With the opening of Seoul-Incheon International Airport, SkyTeam passengers now have increased access to the world’s leading destinations. The airport’s central location between two key aviation routes – the North Pacific air route linking Southeast Asia, as well as the North America and Siberian air routes, connecting Northeast Asia and Europe – offers unprecedented access to Asia.

Chairman Cho and the CEOs from the other SkyTeam carriers met at Incheon today following their regular meeting of the SkyTeam Governing Board.

CSA Czech Airlines CEO Miroslav Kula, in commenting on CSA’s official entry into SkyTeam on 25 March, said, "We are excited to join SkyTeam as it has an excellent core network and the best growth potential of any alliance. With the addition of CSA, SkyTeam passengers now have expanded access to Central and Eastern Europe, providing them with more destinations, convenient connections and flight frequencies."

Delta’s CEO Leo F. Mullin and Air France CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said, "The Board heard Delta Air Lines and Air France announce their intentions to reinstate their codeshare service with SkyTeam Alliance member Korean Air on Korean-operated flights subject to the successful completion of the operational review process and appropriate government approvals. Although no specific date has been established, we are optimistic that the reinstatement will occur later this year."

Both chairmen added, "Korean Air has made and continues to make significant progress in enhancing its operational performance."

In discussing the meeting, Aeromexico’s CEO Alfonso Pasquel, said, "SkyTeam has been busy the last several months working to increase benefits for our customers. We have accomplished great things in the short time since we launched SkyTeam last June. We have all non-smoking flights, around-the-world ticketing, Elite Level mileage accrual, reciprocal lounge access, guaranteed booking and multi-carrier award redemption."

More Customer Friendly Benefits

In commenting on future customer benefits, Chairman Spinetta said, "SkyTeam will continue to work to fulfill our promise to our customers. We will be introducing a more customer-friendly Website, a new advertising campaign, and we will continue to expand our global reach."

Delta CEO Mullin added, "The Board continues to look toward the future and is poised to be the world’s leading alliance. This new hub at Incheon demonstrates SkyTeam’s commitment to growth. We are constantly exploring opportunities with airlines around the globe as we move to improve and expand service for passengers."

Incheon offers greater connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region than any other airport in the area. As the geographic center of the region, the airport is almost equidistant – about two hours – from Beijing and Tokyo. More than 40 major cities are within a four-hour flight and more than 1 billion people reside within 1,000 km of Incheon.

Consistent with SkyTeam’s commitment to provide customers with enhanced benefits, Incheon International Airport offers passengers advanced check-in, boarding, baggage, and customs and immigration services, and premiere lounge and business facilities.

SkyTeam Elite Plus as well as business and first class passengers have access to two airport lounges – offering a business center, conference rooms, massage chairs, showers, sleeping areas and catering services. Additionally, in 2003, Korean Air will open a 534-room deluxe hotel on airport grounds, offering passengers access to high-quality accommodations including a business center, catering facilities, fitness center and a variety of restaurants.

Incheon Airport is located 15 km away from residential mainland Korea on Yongjong Island, allowing it to operate 24-hours a day, offering passengers more convenient flight options giving Korean Air more flexibility in scheduling and expanding its services. Travel from the airport to Seoul is easier as well with the completion of the airport expressway connecting Incheon Airport and downtown Seoul.

Future development will continue to meet demand. By 2020, the airport will be able to serve 100 million passengers, 530,000 aircraft movements and seven million tons of cargo annually.

"With the strong presence of Korean Air and its SkyTeam members at Incheon, we are certain that Incheon will become the foremost airport in Asia," said Kang Dong-suk, Chairman and CEO of the Incheon International Airport Corporation.

About SkyTeam

SkyTeam is claimed to be the first global airline alliance created around the customer, partnering Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. CSA Czech Airlines will become an official member on March 25, 2001. Through one of the world’s most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 176.7 million annual passengers a worldwide system of 7,091 daily flights covering all the major destinations, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere where nearly 80 percent of the world’s traffic flies, while still providing a consistent standard of performance, quality and detailed attention to customer service.

SkyTeam Access to the Industry’s Best Hubs

With the addition of Incheon to the industry’s most extensive hub network, SkyTeam customers around the world now have even more options to reach their destinations. SkyTeam’s network of strategically located hubs in Latin America, Europe, the United States and Asia offers travelers multiple departure time options on 7,091 daily flights to 472 destinations in 112 countries: Korean Air’s new hub at Incheon International Airport offers passengers access to more than 40 major cities within four hours, providing fast and convenient connections throughout Asia.