A new Chinese ally for SkyTeam

China's Xiamen Airlines will join the SkyTeam alliance at the end of 2012, according to a press release published by Air France on Thursday.

SkyTeam has officially accepted Xiamen Airlines' application to join the airline alliance. The network led by Air France is thus strengthening its position in Asia, by integrating the fifth largest Chinese airline. For its part, Xiamen Airlines hopes to be able to develop its international business, which until now has been limited to 10% of its traffic. However, we will have to wait until the end of 2012 to see the airline swell the ranks of SkTeam.