Taiwan-based China Airlines has announced it is planning to join SkyTeam Alliance in mid-2011. Such a move would help the airline boost passenger revenue by 2% a year due to expanded routes and confirm its position as the third biggest greater China airline behind China Southern and China Eastern – the latter has announced it will join SkyTeam in mid-2011.
The alliance will benefit international passengers, particularly those from the US who have fewer options to fly to Taipei. Currently no routes from Hong Kong to Taipei are served by SkyTeam airlines.
It is envisioned that CAL could secure Taipei as an alternative Asian hub with routes to the main business destinations within the Asia Pacific region. CAL chairman Philip Wei, says that joining SkyTeam will allow them to share maintenance facilities with other member carriers, helping it to maintain a more flexible flight schedule and reduce operating costs.