SkyTeam carriers Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will start codesharing beyond their hubs, following approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this year. The two carriers will provide customers with service to destinations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East from their hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta and New York-JFK.

Initially, Delta is codesharing to 10 KLM markets via Amsterdam including Stockholm, Warsaw, Hamburg, Oslo, Bucharest, Gothenburg, Hanover, Nuremberg, Birmingham and Helsinki. The Delta codeshare flights on KLM are available for sale in all major reservations systems since July 20, 2006. Delta intends to grow its codeshare services across KLM’s network to more than 30 destinations, pending foreign government approvals.

Said Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s executive vice president of Network Planning and Revenue Management: “Our ability to add codes on KLM flights complements our existing Western European SkyTeam partners Air France, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines. This gives our customers even greater flexibility and options as KLM serves many unique destinations and offers strong connection opportunities that support our expanding trans-Atlantic network. This summer, Delta offers more flights between the United States and Europe than any global carrier and we are pleased to expand the number of choices our customers have beyond the 29 destinations served by Delta.”

KLM also is began its codeshare on Delta effective July 20, 2006, with a total of 14 destinations beyond Delta’s hubs at Atlanta and New York-JFK.

Arend de Jong, KLM’s senior vice president of network, commented: “The start of this codeshare agreement with Delta is a valuable addition to KLM’s network and builds on our existing relationship with our other U.S. partners Northwest and Continental.” KLM intends to grow its codeshare services across Delta’s network to over 40 destinations pending government approvals.

Members of Delta’s SkyMiles program and KLM’s Flying Blue can earn miles for redemption awards and elite qualification on flights operated by Delta and KLM. Customers can redeem frequent flyer miles interchangeably on any of the other SkyTeam member airlines. In addition, international first and business class passengers as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus traveling in economy are able to access airport lounges across the respective networks of the SkyTeam carriers.