newstodate.aero

Oct 04, 2023 (newstodate): In 1997, five airlines from the Americas, Europe and Asia founded Star Alliance as the first global aviation alliance.
   Among the "founding fathers" was SAS - but the airline is now to check out as a consequence of the change of ownership that will see Air France-KLM as part-owner of the Scandinavian carrier after the turn of the year when the ailing airline will leave Chapter-11 protection after a thorough restructuring process.
   If approved, the deal would give Air France-KLM a noncontrolling 19.99 percent stake in SAS.
   With Air France-KLM on the board, SAS will leave the Star Alliance to become instead a member of SkyTeam alliance, founded in June 2000.
   The SkyTeam alliance now comprises ITA Airways, Aerolineas Argentinas, Kenya Airways, Aeromexico, KLM, Air Europa, Korean Air, Air France, Middle East Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Saudia Airlines, China Airlines, Tarom, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines, Czech Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Garuda Indonesia, and Xiamen Airlines, while the membership of Aeroflot has been suspended for obvious reasons.
   Besides shifting airline alliance membership, SAS will also have to revise its current code-share agreements with a large number of airlines.
   For SkyTeam, the inclusion of SAS will provide the alliance with its first foothold in Northern Europe.