SkyTeam expands in the Middle East
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Middle East Airlines – Air Liban (MEA), the national carrier of Lebanon, yesterday signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. MEA will be the alliance’s second member from the Middle East, and marks the alliance’s continued expansion in emerging markets.
MEA is currently undergoing a fleet renewal and rationalization plan, with the aim of increasing its European, Middle East and West African networks.
MEA Chairman and Director General, Mohamad El-Hout, stated; “By joining SkyTeam, MEA being relatively a small airline, will now be able to provide its customers an extensive global network covering Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. MEA customers will benefit from SkyTeam members’ loyalty program as well as ST members lounges at all airports worldwide.”
SkyTeam Chairman, Leo van Wijk, added; “Today marks yet another confirmation of SkyTeam’s growing global family. The Middle East is a strategic market for our alliance as we continue to extend the SkyTeam network to all corners of the globe. The region has seen an impressive growth in traffic over the past decade and we want to engage actively in this expansion. I am convinced that MEA will develop into a significant and valuable player in Middle East aviation.”
This year China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines will join SkyTeam. Garuda Indonesia, Aerolineas Argentinas and Saudi Arabian Airlines have all confirmed their membership in 2012.
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