Vietnam Airlines has taken the first step towards becoming a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance.
Full membership of the airline grouping is expected to be confirmed next year.
SkyTeam members China Southern and Korean Air have code share agreements with Vietnam Airlines and Air France has strong bilateral co-operation with the airline.
“The agreement we signed today reaffirms Vietnam Airlines’ position as a major carrier in the Southeast Asian region and marks a step forward in our efforts to become a strong global partner of SkyTeam,” said Dr. Pham Ngoc Minh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.
Dominique Patry, SkyTeam steering committee chairman and senior vice president of international affairs and alliances at Air France, said: “Vietnam Airlines will enhance SkyTeam’s network in Southeast Asia, adding a number of new destinations throughout the region."
Vietnam Airlines operates 64 routes to 20 domestic and 24 international destinations with 50 aircraft, handling more than nine million passengers a year to cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Melbourne, Moscow, Paris, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo.
by Phil Davies
