RO Exclusive: Is SkyTeam seeking second Far East hub?

An alliance switch by Japan Airlines from oneworld to the Skyteam camp could represent the first step in Skyteam’s bid to develop a dual hub strategy in the Far East, a senior airline consultant said today (November 19).

Commenting on Delta’s offer of a $1 billion bail out for JAL on the condition it joins Skyteam, Jon Wolf, principal consultant for Airport Strategy and Marketing at the consultancy ASM, said the move could herald a two hub strategy with Skyteam members feeding flights to Korean Airlines from Incheon and JAL operating from Toyko Narita.

“Skyteam obviously believes there is the potential for the alliance to operate two hubs in that part of the world,” he said. “There is presumably enough money in the market to offset the costs of operating two hubs in such a small geographical area.

“The strategic position of oneworld is still relatively weak and other than Dragonair and Cathay Pacific none of the major Chinese carriers have moved to oneworld. Skyteam on the other hand already have a major operation in Seoul with Korean Airlines although there is the potential for conflict with Delta investing in Japan Airlines and Korean expanding from Seoul.”

A bidding war has erupted between Delta Air Lines and American Airlines to secure the loyalty of the Japanese carrier to their oneworld alliance, with both offering bailouts of more than $1 billion.

Oliver Clark, Routes News

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