New Alliance Boosts China Airlines' Destinations

Taiwan's biggest carrier China Airlines (CAL) said Friday its new membership in Skyteam, the world's second largest airline alliance, will increase its number of destinations by ten times.

After 11 years of effort to get approval from each of the 13 current SkyTeam members, CAL said it will substantially broaden its air network after Sept. 28, when the company seals its partnership with SkyTeam.

In the future, the company said, its passengers can enjoy a coverage of over 14,000 daily flights to 926 destinations in 169 countries thanks to code-sharing, under which different airlines share the same flight.

In addition, customers may earn and redeem miles on all qualifying flights across the network, said Jessica Pan, the airline's public relations manager.

"The membership will elevate our global presence, especially in the China region," she said.

She explained that CAL will be working more closely with two other SkyTeam members-- China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines-- in the region.

The application process was not easy, Pan said. It required CAL to meet a set of 80 requirements before it could receive an invitation for SkyTeam membership.

The requirements include customer service standards, safety levels and technology adaptability, she said.

Since joining an airline alliance is regarded by many carriers as an efficient way to cut costs and share resources, Taipei-based EVA Airways is also seeking the same strategy.

Taiwan's second largest carrier applied to Star Alliance -- the world's largest airline alliance -- last year, with results pending.