On June 22, 2000, the CEOs of Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air met in New York to announce the formation of SkyTeamTM, the first global airline alliance created around the customer - offering passengers 6,402 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98 countries, including more non-stop destinations between the U.S. and Europe than any other airline grouping.

Extending its focus to cargo services, in September 2000, SkyTeam announced the creation of the world`s largest cargo airline alliance, SkyTeam CargoTM. The partnership aligned Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Delta Air Logistics and Korean Air Cargo to provide shippers seamless cargo coordination and delivery throughout SkyTeam`s global network.

As an added customer benefit, SkyTeam announced in October 2000 that all SkyTeam flights throughout the alliance`s extensive worldwide route system would be smoke free.

Also in October, SkyTeam announced its intent to add CSA Czech Airlines to the alliance, increasing the number of members to five and adding 21 destinations in 14 countries to the SkyTeam network. CSA Czech Airlines officially joined SkyTeam on March 25, 2001, offering passengers an additional European stronghold with increased access to travel and shipping destinations in Central and Eastern Europe.

In March 2001, SkyTeam further advanced its growth potential within its hub network with the opening of Korean Air`s new hub at Seoul-Incheon International Airport, providing passengers with unequaled access to Asia and the world.
In May 2001, SkyTeam launched SkyTeamNet, a communications network designed to improve the customer experience through better coordination between its member airlines.

In July 2001, SkyTeam announced its intent to add Alitalia to the alliance, adding 869 additional daily flights to 21 new destinations in six additional countries to the SkyTeam network, bringing the alliance to approximately 8,000 daily flights to more than 500 destinations worldwide in just over a year.
 
 

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