SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, and member China Eastern today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SIA) to develop a number of key customer-focused initiatives at the airport.

The agreement enables parties to work together on improving processes that will enhance the customers' airport experience. Shanghai Pudong is home to China Eastern and is served by 10 of SkyTeam's 16 members. Each day, more than 48,000 passengers arrive and depart Shanghai on 220 flights operated by SkyTeam airlines to 103 destinations worldwide.

Effective immediately, SkyTeam, China Eastern and SIA will cooperate on three core projects designed to greatly enhance passengers' airport experience, including:

SkyPriority - A series of distinctively branded priority airport services offered to Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers. At Shanghai Pudong Airport these services were rolled out in March and include: priority check-in areas and baggage drop, priority service at transfer desks, priority boarding and priority baggage handling. Fast tracks for immigration and security are being considered.

SkyTeam is the only airline alliance to ensure a common and consistent standard for priority services and has already implemented SkyPriority at almost 500 airports around the world.

SkyPort - Delivering cost synergies for member airlines and a better airport experience for customers at shared locations worldwide. Co-located airport facilities at SIA will include: a shared check-in area and self-service kiosks, as well as a new joint lounge and joint departure hall service desk with SkyTeam branding.

SkyTransfer - With approximately 17.5 million SkyTeam passengers arriving and departing Shanghai Pudong each year, this initiative will ensure seamless, straightforward transfers of passengers and their baggage from one member airline to another.

"Shanghai is a major SkyTeam hub and we're honored to have the support of the airport. By cooperating and sharing our expertise we can improve processes and ultimately the level of service we offer SkyTeam customers in China," said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam's Managing Director. "Global passengers will soon benefit from a number of important changes all made possible by SIA's commitment to partnering with our alliance and our member China Eastern to better serve our mutual customers."

"Strengthening the Shanghai hub performance will benefit SkyTeam passengers and airlines alike," said Mr. Tang Bin, China Eastern's Senior Vice President. "We are delighted to share the same vision as SkyTeam and SIA and, by transforming our airport services, we'll deliver the seamless experience customers expect at our hub when they choose our flights."

"Partnering with SkyTeam and China Eastern to create the platform to implement these important changes will help build Shanghai's worldwide reputation by offering a greatly enhanced airport experience," said Mr. Wang Shi Qin, CEO of SIA.

The agreement is the second signed between the alliance, a member airline and a major Chinese airport in 2012, demonstrating SkyTeam's commitment to delivering service improvements at its hubs in the Greater China Region. The first agreement was signed in February between SkyTeam, China Southern and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

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