SkyTeam welcomed its newest member, China Airlines, in a VIP gala event in Sydney yesterday, attended by representatives from all other member airlines as well as trade partners.

Marking the occasion as “an important move for China Airlines”, according to China Airlines, General Manager, Australia & New Zealand, S.C. Hsieh, the new alliance partner said the next step was to discuss bi-lateral arrangements for mutual co-operation with other members.

Pinpointing AIR FRANCE KLM’s network into Europe, Mr Hsieh said it will benefit passengers “enormously now if we want to co-operate with them”.

Noting the arrangements were both sided, Mr Hsieh said China Airlines’ network into Taiwan and mainland China would also further enhance the existing member airlines networks.

The airline is looking to launch flights into Auckland in the next six months, and will add an additional Tuesday departure from November, taking total flights out of Sydney to five times per week.