SKYTEAM TO LAUNCH CARGO ALLIANCE THIS FALL

SKYTEAM TO LAUNCH CARGO ALLIANCE THIS FALL    Air France, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air Lines and Aeromexico have unveiled a global passenger alliance branded SkyTeam and are planning to launch a cargo alliance in September, an Air France official said.
   Air France and Delta have already applied to U.S. regulators for approval to form a joint venture export cargo sales company in the United States. That joint venture will support further cargo integration between Air France and Delta and their SkyTeam partners, the Air France official said.
   In a statement released Thursday, the SkyTeam airlines said they are “exploring opportunities to provide cargo customers with the same valuable conveniences and access to worldwide destinations” that passenger customers will have.
   “Cargo customers now benefit from the alliance partnership through reserved cargo space and marketing agreements. More comprehensive network and product enhancements are currently under development and will be introduced in phases,” the airlines said.
   SkyTeam, formed to rival the Star Alliance and oneworld global airline groups, brings together some 6,400 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98 countries. Air France and Korean Air are among the five largest international air cargo carriers, operating large fleets of B747 freighters. Delta and Aeromexico are smaller cargo players, but offer access to key trade markets in the Americas.
   Air France, Delta, Korean and Aeromexico will build their joint network around hubs at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Inchon Airport in Seoul and Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico.