Romanian national airline may join western alliance

Tarom, Romania’s national carrier, may soon join SkyTeam, one of the largest airline alliances, which counts among its most prominent members Air France, Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeroflot and Korean Air. According to a report released earlier today, one of the alliance’s main priorities for this year is to accept new members into the fold and Tarom is now at the top of the accession list. Tarom has been interested in joining SkyTeam for the last three years, but it appears as though Romania’s flag carrier will soon be given the opportunity do just this. Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines has also formally expressed interest in becoming an alliance member, but this carrier’s accession may be delayed, due to political and economic instability in the country.

Dominique Patry, an Air France vice-president, however, has remained somewhat tight-lipped about specific plans, but did indicate that Tarom was expected to hand in an application “soon.” The alliance is currently comprised of 11 full members, as well as three associates, including Spain’s Air Europa, Copa Airlines of Panama and Kenya Airways. Tarom’s membership request is being sponsored by Alitalia, while Air France has stood behind Middle East Airlines, in support of its eventual accession. If Tarom is accepted later this year, the Romanian airline would at first be considered a SkyTeam associate, rather than a full member.

SkyTeam was established in 2000 and the founding carriers were Air France, Aero Mexico, Korean Air and Delta. The alliance is currently the second largest in the world, after the Star Alliance, but before oneworld, one of its largest competitors, especially at Heathrow Airport.

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