CAL announces Virgin Atlantic codeshare on 15th SkyTeam anniversary

Amsterdam, Sept. 16 (CNA) Taiwanese carrier China Airlines (CAL) will launch a codeshare partnership with Britain's Virgin Atlantic Airways, the company announced Wednesday at an event in Amsterdam marking the 15th anniversary of its accession to the SkyTeam airline alliance.

CAL President Kevin Chen (陳漢銘) said the carrier will begin the codeshare cooperation with Virgin Atlantic in the near future, adding that airlines cannot operate alone given limited fleet resources and capacity constraints and must rely on alliances to enhance passenger convenience and strengthen customer loyalty.

In the initial phase, CAL and Virgin Atlantic will share flight codes on each other's services, the company said, adding that the two sides are expected to eventually tap into complementary route networks to improve flight services between Taiwan and the United Kingdom and expand travel options for passengers flying between Asia and Europe.

The announcement came as CAL celebrated 15 years as a SkyTeam member. The airline joined the alliance in 2011 as Taiwan's first carrier to enter a global airline alliance and SkyTeam's 15th member.

Chen said 15 years of membership has enabled CAL to offer passengers seamless transfer services through codeshare and interline agreements, including through check-in, baggage transfers, mileage accrual, priority boarding and access to airport lounges worldwide.

He said CAL aims to further expand its global presence through SkyTeam and attract more transit passengers via Taiwan by capitalizing on the alliance's extensive worldwide network.

"The alliance allows us to offer passengers more travel options and convenient connections," Chen said, noting that CAL already cooperates with fellow SkyTeam members including Delta Air Lines in North America, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in Europe, and Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines in Asia.

SkyTeam comprises 18 member airlines serving 960 destinations in 165 countries and operating more than 13,880 daily flights.

SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux said CAL is an important partner in Asia, playing a key role in connecting the region with global markets through Taiwan's strategic hub location, extensive regional network, and strengths in both passenger and cargo operations.

CAL currently operates nearly 30 weekly nonstop flights to six European destinations -- Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Rome, Prague and Vienna -- making it Taiwan's largest carrier by both the number of direct European destinations served and flight frequency.

Beyond its own network, CAL has codeshare partnerships with KLM, Air France and Air Europa, extending its reach to major cities in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Finland. It also offers air-rail services through partnerships with Deutsche Bahn, Great Western Railway and the National Railway Company of Belgium, according to the company.