More alliance movements today as SkyTeam has confirmed the widely expected entry of Shanghai Airlines, alongside its parent China Eastern Airlines. Confirmation came today, the day after Shanghai Airlines formally left Star Alliance. Shanghai merged with China Eastern earlier this year and, shortly after China Eastern in June announced its intention to join SkyTeam, Shanghai said its was quitting Star at the end of October - though today marks the first confirmation it will follow its parent into SkyTeam.
Shanghai Airlines becomes the third carrier to switch alliance camps; Continental Airlines early made the journey the other way round to join Star, while one-time Star member Mexicana later joined oneworld.
It continues to be a period of hectic activity among the alliances; SkyTeam itself has just announced plans for its first Latin American member, Aerolineas Argentinas; while oneworld's latest member Russian carrier S7 formally joins later this month. To find out more about the comings and goings, as well as insights into the strategies of the three main alliances, check out our recent alliances analysis here.(picture credit: Anssi Koskinen/DR)
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