May 29, 2012 was a major turning point in the 67-year history of Saudi Arabian Airlines when the Kingdom’s flag carrier joined SkyTeam, becoming the global alliance’s 16th member. With SkyTeam, Saudia can offer its passengers 14,700 flights daily to 958 destinations in 173 countries.

“This is a historic day for Saudia,” said Khaled Al-Molhem, director general of the airline who signed the agreement with SkyTeam Managing Director Michael Wisbrun.

Al-Molhem said Saudia’s membership would have a positive impact on the airline as well as on other SkyTeam members. Saudia is one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. Last year Saudia carried 21.5 million passengers, Al-Molhem said, adding that the airline’s fleet would reach 170 aircraft within a few years.

Abdullah Al-Ajhar, Saudia’s vice president for public relations, said, “The strategic location of Saudia between the east and the west gives the alliance a strategic dimension.”

He said he expected at least 20 percent increase in Saudia passengers as a result of the deal. “It will also enable Saudia to give customers quick connections to destinations anywhere in the world. Saudi students in US, Europe, New Zealand, Japan and other parts of the world can now fly without any hassle,” he added.

Al-Ajhar said code-share agreements with member airlines would help Saudia passengers enjoy special fares. SkyTeam’s fare passes allow customers who purchase a transatlantic, transpacific or intercontinental ticket to America, Asia or Europe to also purchase three or more one-way intraregion flight segments at reduced fares.

“Members of the alliance allow passengers to earn miles toward elite status, as well as redeem miles, with every SkyTeam airline,” Al-Ajhar said, adding that it would benefit Saudia’s Alfursan members.

SkyTeam chief Wisbrun was equally happy with the deal. “With Saudia on board, SkyTeam can offer 51 new destinations to its passengers around the world,” said Wisbrun, adding that Saudia membership would strengthen the alliance’s position in the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

During its semi annual meeting in Beijing recently, SkyTeam announced several priority initiatives to enrich the customer proposition, strengthen the global network and achieve synergies.

“The industry is facing tumultuous times. As an alliance we can and must add value to our members’ businesses,” said Wisbrun.

Improving the airport experience in 2012, SkyTeam rolled-out SkyPriority, a series of distinctive branded priority airport services consistently offered to Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers throughout the alliance network. SkyPriority aims to help top customers travel faster through the airport, from checking in, to security, boarding and picking up their bags.

“We like to call it the red carpet treatment for our top customers,” said Wisbrun. “The SkyPriority brand was developed by Delta in 2010 and proved so successful we’re expanding it alliance-wide.” Since the rollout started in March 2012, SkyPriority is currently available at over 550 airports globally. It will be implemented throughout the entire SkyTeam network by early 2013.

Another SkyTeam initiative is SkyTransfer, improving seamless, straightforward transfers of passengers and their baggage from one member airline to another. Currently, SkyTeam members offer 300,000+ weekly saleable connections.

The third initiative to improve the airport experience and achieve synergies is SkyPort, increasing the number of shared locations worldwide.

Members enjoy cost-savings from joint synergies through co-locations, which is defined as a shared space or terminal between three or more member airlines. Member airlines will enjoy significant cost savings through several facets such as maximization of airport facility utilization including co-location of check-in areas and combining personnel for efficiency.

The alliance’s round-the-world fare pass allows passengers to circle the globe traveling on any — or all — of the member airlines. SkyTeam Global Corporate Contracts offer corporate travel solutions for multinational companies while SkyTeam Global Meetings streamlines the process of arranging travel for large-scale international meetings.

Passengers will also get access to more than 2,100 ticketing offices and 490 airport lounges worldwide.