MEA set to join Saudia in the expanding SkyTeam alliance

Saudi Arabian Airlines announced that it would become the first Middle Eastern carrier to join the alliance just a few weeks ago.

Arabian Aerospace understands that the Beirut-headquartered airline will sign an agreement on 28 February to officially start the process of joining SkyTeam in 2012. 

MEA will lose its monopoly agreement for air transport in Lebanon in 2012 leaving the way open for Lebanese operators to begin low-cost or regional airlines. The move towards the alliance will see the Lebanese carrier joining through other hubs through sister airlines such as Delta, Air France-KLM and Kenyan.

First established in 1946 and using de Havilland Dragon Rapides, MEA has has a number of problems with the Lebanese civil war and the invasions and attackes by Israel.

It has continued to improve its products and services to customers ever since it successfully concluded a thorough restructuring plan, destined to modernize and restructure the airline and has achieved – and maintained profitability.

It currently operates an all Airbus fleet of 11 A320 series aircraft and four A330-200s.

SkyTeam has made significant progress in attracting new members.  In 2010 China Eastern (and its daughter company Shanghai Airlines), China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolíneas Argentinas all confirmed their future membership as well as Saudi Arabian Airlines becoming the first member from the Middle East to announce plans to join.

The other alliances are continuing to push for Middle East partners with Star Alliance having Turkish and EgyptAir, and OneWorld having Royal Jordanian.