China Southern Airlines Co. unit Xiamen Airlines will be joining the SkyTeam alliance by the end of 2012, the airline group said Thursday, as the alliance looks to boost its presence in China's rapidly growing travel sector.

The move could also strengthen the Chinese carrier's position in the international aviation market.

"Xiamen Airlines' membership in SkyTeam will strengthen our offer in the southeastern part of China and the cross-strait markets," said SkyTeam Managing Director Michael Wisbrun.

More than 90% the Fujian province-based carrier's network is domestic now, but it aims to boost its international network by launching more long-haul destinations to Australia, Europe and North America, starting in 2014, the alliance said in a statement.

China Southern, the country's biggest airline by fleet size, owns 60% of Xiamen Airlines.

Guangzhou-based China Southern was the first Chinese airline to join SkyTeam when it became a member in 2007. Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines Corp. became a member this year.