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Israeli flag-carrier El Al could potentially join the SkyTeam alliance with Delta Air Lines’ support, following a strategic co-operation agreement sealed between the two airlines. El Al and Delta will implement reciprocal codeshares and loyalty benefits as part of the tie-up, which is intended to offer more convenient connections between the USA and Israel. Delta operates to Tel Aviv through the US gateways of Atlanta, New York JFK and Boston. El Al operates to Boston and JFK, as well as Los Angeles, Miami and Newark. The codeshare will also cover a number of onward routes. El Al adds that, within the framework of the agreement, Delta would made “reasonable efforts to assist” the Israeli carrier in joining SkyTeam – if El Al should show interest in such membership. The co-operation agreement will run for at least five years. El Al says the pact establishes a number of conditions including a limitation on the airline’s entering any similar arrangement with other US-based carriers. The Israeli operator says it will be able to increase capacity to US destinations, expand its route network, and appeal to a broader range of customers. “This partnership marks another important milestone in our long-term strategy and offers our customers unparalleled service,” says El Al vice-president for commercial and industry affairs Shlomi Zafrany. Delta’s senior vice-president for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, Matteo Curcio, adds that the tie-up will “further strengthen” the US operator’s link to Israel. “Enhanced partnerships are integral to our long-term strategy to better connect Delta customers around the world,” he adds.<br/>

GS Caltex and Korean Air joined hands to carry out test flights using bio jet fuel, the companies said Thursday, in the latest step in the green energy transition toward a reduced carbon footprint. The two companies signed the memorandum of understanding, under which the oil refiner will supply biofuel, known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), to the flag carrier on select international flights departing from Incheon, west of Seoul, the main gateway to Korea, they said in press releases. The test flights will take place over a six-month period starting in the second half of 2023. The partnership is part of joining the government's initiative to boost the supply of biofuels. Based on the test outcomes, the Korean government plans to draw up guidelines for domestic SAF use and set quality standards prior to full-scale domestic production. SAF, unlike nonrenewable fossil fuels, is produced with animal or vegetable oils, algae and solid waste. It can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional fossil jet fuel. The European Union is mandating that airlines refueling in its territory use a minimum 2 percent SAF blend from 2025. Many countries, including the United States, are adopting various policies, such as tax incentives, to expand SAF production.<br/>