China Airlines introduce Skyteam livery Boeing 747-400 aircraft

China Airlines will be formally recognised as the newest member of the prestigious SkyTeam airline alliance at a gala reception in Sydney on Tuesday, October 25.

Among the select list of 80 influential travel industry VIPs expected to attend the landmark function to be held in the Grand Ballroom of Rydges World Square from 1800 – 2030 will be Ms Frances Lee, Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Sydney, Mr S. C. Hsieh, General Manager, China Airlines Australia Office and Ms Pearl Lee, Marketing Representative, Taiwan Tourism Bureau (Australia and New Zealand).

As well, Mr Rafael Despradel, the SkyTeam coordinator based in Australia will also attend the history-making event.

The inclusion of China Airlines into such a highly respected worldwide airline organisation is tangible testimony to the growing success and numerous achievements of our 51 year old international airline, said Jim Wong, Jim Wong, the airlines’ Sydney-based Sales Manager.

These accomplishments were globally publicised in a highly respected publication in July when American magazine, “Aviation Week listed China Airlines as the “Tenth Top-Performing Mainline Carrier."  “CAL”, the publication went on to record “is the best ranking airline in [the] Taiwan and mainland China region”.

With the induction of China Airlines into the global airline alliance the Taiwanese flag carrier becomes its 15th member on four continents.

Founded in 2000 by Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, SkyTeam is the last of three major airline alliances to be formed but it has grown to become the second largest airline grouping in the world in terms of passenger numbers and alliance members.

Other air carriers in the elite organisation are KLM, Alitalia, Aeromexico, China Southern, China Eastern, Kenya Airways, Czech Airlines, TAROM Romanian Air Transport, Aeroflot, Air Europa and Vietnam Airlines.

It’s most fitting that China Airlines is joining the prestigious SkyTeam alliance this year because we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of CI services between Taiwan and Australia in 2011, Mr Wong said.

SkyTeam member airlines currently fly to 926 airports in 173 countries.  They also operate approximately 14,500 flights a day utilising a combined fleet of more than 2431 aircraft including those of associate carriers to carry more than 487 million annual passengers.  The organisation has 151 million frequent flyer members!

The new commercial agreement between China Airlines and SkyTeam will have further significant benefits for Australian passengers, said Mr Wong.

For instance, Taipei will become a SkyTeam hub which means seamless global connections on partner airlines using the capital’s Taoyuan International Airport, he said.

In addition passengers will be able to take advantage of various pre departure benefits including single desk check-in and access to VIP lounges as well as consistent in-flight service, a generous frequent flyer programme and a variety of corporate travel benefits, he added.

China Airlines has five flights a week linking Sydney with Taipei. In addition the award-winning airline also operates three wide body services a week between Brisbane and the Taiwanese capital. 

Flights from Sydney to Taipei are operated in advanced Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured with 30 business class seats and 271 economy seats.

The flight timing is very convenient for Australian passengers heading on to popular CI destinations in the Asian region like Hong Kong, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City as well as long haul ports such as Vancouver, New York, London, Vienna, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Meanwhile China Airlines’ fleet of B747-400 aircraft have been recently retrofitted in a major upgrade of cabin amenities.

Used on select long haul routes, China Airlines’ fleet of upgraded B747-400 aircraft are operated in a three class configuration.

One lucky guest at the SkyTeam/China Airlines reception will be able to gain an up close and personal insight into China Airlines’ enhanced cabin services, said Mr Wong.