Chinese carrier Xiamen Airlines was today (November 21, 2012) welcomed as the 19th member of the SkyTeam alliance after it completed its formal entry process for joining the global airline grouping. The airline, the sixth largest carrier in China, will be the group’s fourth operator from the Greater China region alongside China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and China Airlines from Taiwan.

Founded in 1984, Xiamen Airlines takes its name from the coastal city of Xiamen in the province of Fujian, where it is based. This area of China boasts a thriving and diverse industrial economy as well as a growing tourism market and may explain how the carrier has been able to post positive financial results for the past 26 years. The airline flies more than 15 million passengers annually to more than 50 cities including Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Xiamen Airlines’ alliance entry will boost the SkyTeam presence in China and the Greater China Region by adding three new hubs - Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou - as well as a comprehensive domestic and growing international network. This includes destinations in Southeast and Northeast Asia, although the airline has announced plans to launch flights to Europe, North America and Australasia by 2014 after the introduction of the Boeing 787.

“Membership of SkyTeam will enable us to deliver enhanced customer benefits as we diversify and grow our network and this is key to the success of our new international routes,” said Che Shanglun, President and Chief Executive Officer, Xiamen Airlines. “Our passengers can anticipate exciting new destinations while we look forward to a future of cooperation with our alliance partners.”

“By joining SkyTeam, Xiamen Airlines opens up the world to its passengers. And today we also strengthen SkyTeam’s footprint in China. Greater China remains a priority region for our alliance. Xiamen Airlines will join our members China Southern, China Eastern and China Airlines in developing customer-focused initiatives for the region,” added Michael Wisbrun, Managing Director, SkyTeam.

In the table below we highlight the ten largest domestic points in the Xiamen Airlines network this month along with its full international network.