The SkyTeam Governing Board today expressed their satisfaction with the
European Commission and United States Department of Justice decisions to
approve a merger between Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. With the
two regulatory bodies’ approvals, KLM remains on track to join the
alliance later this year.
“We are extremely pleased with the European Commission and Department of
Justice decisions and how they will greatly benefit international
travelers,” the Governing Board members said in a statement. “With the
addition of KLM to the SkyTeam network, customers will have access to a
greater number of routes and destinations through Schiphol and the
alliance’s other major hub airports. This is a win for travelers around
the world.”

Plans are proceeding on schedule for KLM to join SkyTeam this year, after
the public exchange of shares between Air France and KLM is complete. Air
France announced last September that customers would begin to experience
benefits linked to the merger in six-to-nine months.

SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering Aeromexico, Air France,
Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. Through one
of the world’s most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 212 million
annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 7,600 daily flights
covering all major destinations. In 2002, Global Finance magazine named
SkyTeam the best airline in their list of the “Best Global Companies.”
Visit SkyTeam on the Web at http://www.skyteam.com/ .
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