SkyTeam has added its first new member in over eight years with an invitation extended to the UK’s Virgin Atlantic Airways. Virgin has long been associated with SkyTeam through its strong ties with alliance members Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM. But the carrier disclosed during an event in London on 27 September that it would finally formally join the alliance. Virgin Atlantic chief Shai Weiss, speaking at the event, said the membership was the “next extension” of its relationship with SkyTeam partners following its inclusion in the transatlantic joint venture. While the prospect of SkyTeam membership has been floated for several years, Weiss says the pandemic “taught us that the strength of partnerships is profound”. He says the carrier had been “ferociously” independent until the joint venture tie-up, adding: “We’re proud of our independence, but proud to be part of a partnership.” SkyTeam chief Kristin Colvile says the alliance has been “shooting” for Virgin’s inclusion from the beginning of next year, but indicates that a precise date beyond “early January” has yet to be firmed. “We didn’t want to commit [to a date] at this point,” she says. Colvile says Virgin Atlantic will become the first UK SkyTeam member, adding that it will benefit from increased opportunities to expand its network. <br/>
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SkyTeam’s inclusion of Virgin Atlantic will take membership to 19 carriers, but the alliance is not prioritising further expansion. Speaking during an event in London on 27 September, the alliance’s chief executive, Kristin Colvile, said the UK carrier was a welcome addition. But she adds that SkyTeam is not currently seeking to recruit further. “The focus is not on growing SkyTeam,” she says. “It’s not something we’re actively looking at.” Colvile says the alliance is concentrating on digital technology simplification to smooth passenger connections between its members and ensure the “disparate” systems of the various airlines are able to communicate. This programme is starting to roll out, says Colvile, and she expects all the SkyTeam carriers to be connected within six months. “It’s not to say that, once we have Virgin Atlantic on board, that we won’t be open to new members if they bring value to existing members and customers,” she states. SkyTeam has undergone recent changes including the replacement of Alitalia by successor carrier ITA Airways, while Russian carrier Aeroflot’s membership is currently suspended.<br/>