“Looking forward, we will continue to focus on this continent. Our founding members Delta and Aeroméxico are significant players in the Latin American market and are leading the way in terms of finding new opportunities in this region,” said Mr. Wisbrun. “Delta has expanded its cooperation with Brazil’s GOL and Aeroméxico, by building ground-breaking commercial agreements. These will pave the way for further opportunities for SkyTeam and our customers”.

Joining SkyTeam is a major achievement in Aerolíneas Argentinas’ long-term restructuring plan. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and network rationalization, upgrading the entire IT platform, improving product quality and enhancing the frequent flyer program Aerolíneas Plus. Aerolíneas Argentinas operates services to 52 destinations in 14 countries from its two hubs at Buenos Aires, including a comprehensive domestic network of 35 destinations within Argentina itself. These include popular tourist attractions such as: the Patagonian capital of Ushuaia, the spectacular Iguazu falls, the world-renowned wine producing region of Mendoza, as well as the industrial centers of Córdoba and Rosario.

Buenos Aires is served by six existing SkyTeam members – Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines and KLM - all offering regular scheduled services to and from North America and Europe. Altogether, SkyTeam carriers now offer 123 daily departures from Buenos Aires to 53 destinations around the globe.

In keeping with SkyTeam’s focus on enriching the customer experience, Aerolíneas Argentinas will implement SkyPriority – SkyTeam priority airport services for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide - by the end of 2012. Effective immediately, Aerolíneas Argentinas customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Aerolíneas Argentinas operated flights.

Customers traveling on SkyTeam’s Go Round the World pass now benefit from even more seamless travel throughout six continents. Aerolíneas Argentinas operates direct flights from Buenos Aires to Sydney, meaning for the first time customers can fly non-stop between South America and Australia as part of a SkyTeam Round the World itinerary.

For more information:

SkyTeam
Corporate Communications
T: +31 (0)20 333 3064
E: media@skyteam.com

Through direct services by Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia and Delta Air Lines to Buenos Aires, SkyTeam already offers Argentinean customers daily access to North America and Europe, with convenient connections to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The extensive domestic and regional service of Aerolíneas Argentinas brings 38 new destinations to the SkyTeam network, including Córdoba, Mendoza, Asunción and Montevideo. With Buenos Aires serving as a Latin American hub with flights to and from key destinations in the region, SkyTeam customers will benefit from improved access to the southern part of South America and Patagonia in particular, popular destinations with travelers from all over the world.

Fleet renewal and improving quality and consistency

Aerolíneas Argentinas has initiated a long-term plan to expand and revitalize its business. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and rationalization, adding key international destinations such as New York and London, increasing the density of the domestic and regional network and improving product quality and consistency.

Mariano Recalde, President and CEO of Aerolíneas Argentinas said: “Aerolíneas has started a new chapter under the direction of the Argentine Government and for more than one year we have taken several measures to strengthen our business model. One of the key elements is to reinstate Aerolíneas into the industry standards and improve our customers’ experience. Joining SkyTeam is a major step towards fulfilling our goals and market recognition for our efforts and commitment. As a result, Aerolíneas’ passengers will benefit from unprecedented global connectivity through the alliance hubs and networks in Europe, America and Asia, and will also have access to a wide variety of SkyTeam products.”

Marie-Joseph Malé, Managing Director of SkyTeam, said: “As our 10th anniversary year comes to a close, we can look back on an extraordinary period of growth for the alliance. We have seen our member base in Asia grow tremendously with the announcements of China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines and Garuda Indonesia. Welcoming Aerolíneas Argentinas is the next significant step in expanding our presence in Latin America. Together with its plans to expand intercontinental services to New York, London and Paris, I am convinced that joining SkyTeam will help Aerolíneas Argentinas position itself as a major player in Latin America.”

Through a five-year restructuring plan introduced last year, Aerolíneas Argentinas is implementing a number of measures to strengthen its business
model and establish itself as a major player in Latin America. Key elements of this plan include fleet renewal and rationalization, adding key international
destinations, increasing the density of the domestic and regional network and improving product quality and consistency.

SkyTeam has made significant progress in attracting new members in its 10th anniversary year. In June the alliance welcomed Vietnam Airlines and TAROM
as new members. In addition, SkyTeam announced that China Eastern and China Airlines would join the group in 2011, cementing the alliances’ No. 1 position in the Greater China region. SkyTeam is actively working on further extending its global network by looking for additional members from regions such as Southeast Asia, India and Latin America.