SkyTeam Members Prepare for Strong 2004 Summer Travel Season New Summer Schedules Support Forecasted Increase in International Travel NEW YORK, March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, today said its members are preparing for potential growth in 2004 with new flight options. With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicting a seven percent annual growth rate in global passenger traffic this year, SkyTeam members are strategically adding more long-haul international flights this summer, further strengthening the alliance's global route network. Passengers traveling with SkyTeam will enjoy a combined total of more than 150 additional flights per week, many supported by new service launches, and 13 new alliance destinations. "SkyTeam members are in a good position to serve the expected increase of travelers this summer. Whether flying for business or pleasure, SkyTeam passengers will be able to select from additional options designed to provide greatest convenience," said Dominique Patry, Air France's vice president for international affairs and alliances. "Alliance members are looking forward to providing even more choices in 2004 as the momentum continues." SkyTeam members are experiencing a momentum that is part of a larger trend in international travel. Earlier this month, IATA reported international traffic figures for January, signalling recovery in the Middle East region and sustained increases in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. Growth in these regions is also reflected in SkyTeam members' expanded summer schedules. Added frequency and capacity This summer, Korean Air will increase its schedule by 40 flights per week while Air France is preparing for a nine percent increase in capacity with 115 additional frequencies per week. Alitalia anticipates year over year growth of approximately 15 percent, with additional flights between Rome and New York- JFK, key hubs in the alliance's network. "By adding flights between major hubs, alliance members help passengers access all destinations within SkyTeam's extensive network with the least number of connections," said Giorgio Callegari, Alitalia's corporate vice president alliances. New Routes and new destinations Launched by Alliance Member Airlines - As of March 28, Air France will offer non-stop round-trip services between France and Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh-Ville). - Alitalia is also launching several new routes between its Milan and Rome hubs and destinations in Asia, Europe and the United States, including new service from Rome to Boston and Milan Malpensa to Washington, D.C. The airline also intends to start service between Milan and New Delhi with six flights per week, pending approval from the Indian government. - Korean Air is beginning new direct service between Seoul and Prague. - In the Atlantic region, Delta Air Lines will offer six new routes to destinations in the Caribbean (New York-JFK to Santo Domingo and San Juan), Mexico (Cincinnati-Cancun) and Europe (Cincinnati to Amsterdam and Rome), as well as nine additional codeshare routes with SkyTeam member airlines. - Aeromexico's summer service will include more than ten additional weekly flights from Mexico to destinations in the U.S. and South America. The airline is also expanding service between Mexico City and Madridto a total of 11 flights per week. New destinations The thirteen new SkyTeam destinations are in multiple regions of the world: - Both Guangzhou (China) and Tehran (Iran) are on Air France's summer schedule. - In addition, Doha (Qatar), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Pointe-Noire (Congo) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) will be served through the new Air France "Dedicate" service, featuring scheduled routes and direct flights to some of the more remote parts of the world, making life easier for professionals traveling to construction projects, production sites and other major areas of economic activity. - In Europe, CSA Czech Airlines is planning its largest eastward expansion in the airline's history this summer, including new service to: Samara and Ekaterinburg in Russia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Krakow, Poland; and Dortmund, Germany. - Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is launching direct service to St. Lucia in the Caribbean from its Atlanta hub and to Amsterdam and Rome from its Cincinnati hub. More opportunities for passengers to experience benefits of SkyTeam As a benefit to travelers, SkyTeam offers passengers the opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles when flying any of the six member airlines. Top-tier frequent flyer members at each of the alliance airlines automatically attain SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status, making them eligible for additional enhanced benefits, including priority waitlist for reservations at the airport, as well as separate check-in. In addition, Elite Plus members enjoy guaranteed economy-class reservations, priority baggage handling and access to more than 300 SkyTeam airport lounges for international trips, regardless of ticketclass. In total, SkyTeam offers customers access to airport lounges in 338 cities around the globe, including Incheon, Prague, and Mexico City, as well as joint city ticket office facilities in 11 cities, including Paris, New York, and Rome. About SkyTeam SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 212 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 7,600 daily flights covering all major destinations. Visit SkyTeam on the Web at skyteam.com DATASOURCE: Delta Air Lines, Inc. CONTACT: SkyTeam Communications in the U.S., +1-646-935-4161 Web site: http://www.delta.com/ http://www.skyteam.com/

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