SkyTeam Invites Air India To Explore Membership

[Ryanair]

The Chairman of Air India, K. Roy Paul, will meet with Skyteam leaders in Paris from September 30 - October 2 to discuss the invitation that has been extended to Air India to seek admission into the alliance.

Air India recently posted a strong operational profit for Q1 of their financial year, after being one of the few international airlines to post a profitable FY 2001.

Air India currently operates daily service from India to New York JFK via London Heathrow, as well as thrice weekly service to Chicago O'Hare also through Heathrow. They will launch a third US gateway with commencement of thrice weekly flights to Newark via Paris CDG from December 7, and are seeking to commence operations to Los Angeles from 2003. The airline currently serves 23 international destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa from 12 Indian gateways with a fleet of 27 widebody aircraft. All flights to North America are operated by 3-class Boeing 747-437 aircraft. A new Business Class is expected to be unveiled for launch of Newark service in December. Air India already codeshares with Skyteam member Air France on numerous routes to/from Paris CDG.

Mr. Roy Paul held talks with Rod Eddington of British Airways last week regarding a similar invitation from the OneWorld alliance.

[Mystere IV A]

THE Maharaja is suddenly much in demand, being wooed by many suitors.

Hours after the Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, Mr Rod Eddington, is said to have extended an invitation to Air India to join the eight-airline 'One World' alliance, comes the news that another global airlines network, 'Skyteam', has also extended an invitation to the national carrier.
"The AI Chairman, Mr K. Roy Paul, has been invited to Paris to have talks with the Air France officials about the possibility of the Maharaja joining the Skyteam alliance. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Paris for over two days beginning September 30," official sources told Business Line.
While One World includes international airlines such as American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas and offers passengers the option of connecting to 550 airports worldwide, Skyteam comprises six airlines, including Air France, Alitalia, Delta and Korean Airlines, and offers 8,000 daily flights to more than 500 airports worldwide.
Opinions are divided on which alliance would better suit the needs of AI. While there is a feeling that joining hands with Skyteam will be more beneficial, there are others who feel that AI needs to tie-up with one that has greater presence of airlines from America.
With a small fleet and limited number of flights, joining hands with an international airlines alliance will help AI expand its presence in the global aviation market, sources feel.

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[bmibunny]

i would say any alliance that has air india on their side have made a good choice! with the 1 billion+ population and growing air travel industry it looks like a good choice for future 'investment'.
there will be a lot of direct and indirect benefits to these alliance members and to the passangers as well. Flying with air india wont be forced upon anyone, there is plenty of choice out there!
maybe joining an alliance is just what air india needs- a kick up the backside!
Skyteam has some good airlines, air france, delta and korean, all with good fleets, in flight entertainment e.t.c. Air India's safety record is not too bad as well.
Good luck to them and hopfully we'll see better service and new planes!!!

[fiesta31]

hey bmibunny,
just wondering why you did not mention alitalia in the good skyteam airlines

[blacksheep]

Fiesta,

perché "AZ" e "good airlines" è una contraddizione in termini!!! images/icons/grin.gif

(Ouch! ahi! AHI!)

[ 09-14-2002, 06:19 AM: Message edited by: blacksheep ]

[fiesta31]

....ma va' a scarrella'..... images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif , mandoseifinita?

[Peek-a-Blue]

AI has valuable traffic rights in India and elsewhere. Skyteam would benefit by AI's US-LHR routes. None of Skyteam's US members can fly to LHR. India is like China in that there is a lot of perceived potential. AI does have a problem with reputation (deserved or not) that needs to be addressed.