SkyTeam has named Kristin Colvile as its new chief executive.

The appointment was confirmed today at a meeting of the alliance’s governing board, which is composed of the chief executives and chairmen of the 20 member airlines.

Colvile has over 25 years’ experience in the industry and will be joining SkyTeam from Delta, where she has held leadership roles in numerous divisions of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines since joining the company in 1993.

Most recently, Kristin led Delta’s cargo enterprise through a highly successful multi-year transformation.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Kristin onboard as SkyTeam’s new chief executive.

“She joins the alliance at an important transitional phase, and we are absolutely confident that Kristin’s extensive experience will help us to build the alliance of the future for all 20 of our member airlines and their customers,” said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam chairman. 

In her new position Colvile will be tasked with building on the significant investment that SkyTeam has made into developing industry-leading technology.

She will continue to focus on maximizing the tools to enhance seamlessness for all our members and their customers.

Perry Cantarutti, former chief executive and managing director of SkyTeam, will be returning to Delta Air Lines to take up the role of senior vice president of alliances.

“We thank Perry for all his hard work over the last three years.

“He brought many pivotal projects into fruition that will continue to expand under Kristin’s guidance,” said Wisbrun.

SkyLink Digital Spine

Also today, SkyTeam has reached a milestone in the development of advanced technology enhancing its current tech hub with new functionalities.

Unique to SkyTeam and known as the SkyLink Digital Spine, the new functionality is intended to gradually facilitate the 20 members of the alliance to exchange seat maps and cross-sell ancillary products.

Ultimately, it will help member airlines solve common travel pain points and offer customers greater simplicity and convenience when flying across multiple SkyTeam members.

The SkyLink Digital Spine will bridge the technology differences between members, allowing for the format translation and exchange of messages.

Thanks to the SkyLink Digital Spine, it will now become possible for the customer to seamlessly book free seats, paid for seats and other ancillary products for all legs of their journey, regardless of which SkyTeam member they booked their ticket with.

The Seamless Ancillaries Program is just one benefit that will positively impact customers following the development of the Digital Spine.

Delta and Aeromexico will be the first to take advantage of the technology, gradually rolling-out the product from mid July 2018.

Customers booking via the airline’s website will be able purchase seat products at their own convenience, for their entire journey when flying on an itinerary with the two airlines.

Designed in response to customer feedback and airline member input, the new functionality forms the backbone of the alliance’s many progressive technical initiatives.

Application of The Digital Spine will be significantly expanded over the next three years.

Gradually more members will use the platform on interline itineraries to e.g. capture and find baggage, provide seamless check-in, supply all boarding passes, show real-time availability of seats and enable the purchase of ancillary types with miles.