SkyTeam announced significant milestones in the creation of a new centralized organization for the alliance. Since naming a managing director in April 2009, SkyTeam has recruited six executives from its partner airlines to serve on the core management team and secured a location in Amsterdam for the company headquarters. While a key function of the management team is to collaborate on alliance business, the dedicated SkyTeam staff is also responsible for helping to enhance existing benefits as well as develop new benefits for passengers.

“SkyTeam has operated as a virtual entity since its inception,” said Marie-Joseph Male, managing director, SkyTeam. “However, as the industry becomes increasingly complex and the alliance continues to pursue global growth, the transition to a central management structure remains a top priority. We have already made significant progress, and the alliance is working diligently to ensure the office is up and running no later than fourth quarter of 2009.”

SkyTeam’s core management team will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the alliance, including: marketing, sales, airport synergies and transfer product, cargo, advertising and brand, alliance operations, finance, corporate communications and alliance administration.

Six executives from partner airlines have been selected to serve on SkyTeam’s management team. This diverse, international and multi-cultural team will work closely with Male and will be responsible for key areas of strategic importance to the alliance.

“We were committed to identifying the right talent for each executive position and are proud to have created a uniquely international and multi-cultural team,” said Male. “This shows SkyTeam’s commitment to integrating the expertise of its partner airlines in the pursuit of the alliance’s business objectives,” he added.

SkyTeam selected Amsterdam as the location for its global headquarters with offices at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport. Amsterdam offers a sophisticated corporate, legal and regulatory environment with the best competitive advantage for SkyTeam. Amsterdam is centrally located in a time zone strategic to SkyTeam’s partners across the globe, and with a major SkyTeam hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the offices are easily accessible.

“The transition to a centralized management structure will further support worldwide growth of the alliance today and for the future,” said Male. “We are excited to help drive forward SkyTeam’s initiatives and to continue to achieve success through the collaboration of all 10 alliance members.”