Source: The Chosun Ilbo Author: 05/29/2007
Subject Concerned: Opinion Airlines
The world flight map is changing. The three big multilateral aviation alliances - Star Alliance, SkyTeam and the oneworld - are competing to gather more member airlines into their fold this year. The alliances boost cooperation among airlines through code sharing and joint marketing strategies.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the alliances account for over 60 percent of the global airline industry. Star Alliance captures 25.1 percent, Skyteam 20.8 percent and the oneworld 14.9 percent.
Star Alliance recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its establishment. It said Air China and Shanghai Airlines will join the world's largest airline network this year and Turkish Airlines next year. By inviting the two Chinese carriers, it plans to step up efforts to meet surging demand for Chinese routes ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2010 Shanghai Expo.
oneworld is also busy attracting new members. It accepted Japan Airlines, Malev Hungarian and Royal Jordanian as new members in April to strengthen European and Asian services. It has now grown into a network of 10 airlines, inviting new members for the first time in six years.
SkyTeam became the first aviation alliance to accept a Russian airline, with Aeroflot joining SkyTeam last year. China Southern Airlines is also going to join. SkyTeam focuses on Asian services while further strengthening Atlantic routes. It is also eyeing more market share in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East by inviting airlines from those regions as associate members. Kenya Airways, Copa Airlines of Panama, Tarom of Rumania and Middle East Airlines of Kuwait are associate members of SkyTeam.
Analysts say aviation alliances have turned aggressive after the global airline industry fully overcame obstacles like the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the SARS scare in 2003 and started to see a turnaround. Expanding routes is not the only goal. They pay attention to strengthening IT-related services like e-tickets and protecting the environment. The alliances are trying to find ways to develop bio energy and reduce emissions and noise in cooperation with plane manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. They also aim to offer better premium services to customers, like exclusive terminals for more convenient transfer at major airports.