China Southern will leave the SkyTeam alliance next year and will not renew its membership when the current agreement expires on January 1, 2019. The airline and SkyTeam say they will work together throughout 2019 to ensure the separation is smooth and minimizes disruption for customers.
In a statement, SkyTeam said China Southern’s decision “reflects its strategic development, the changing trends and the global aviation industry and the evolution of alliances.” The alliance emphasized that such shifts are part of the broader restructuring and strategy adjustments happening across the industry.
Kristin Colvile, CEO of SkyTeam, noted that the network has always been the alliance’s core strength. She said the alliance’s updated value proposition will keep that integrated network while placing greater emphasis on improving customer experience through technology. Colvile added that China Southern has been a valued member and wished the carrier success in its next steps.
China Southern has not announced plans to join another global alliance. The airline’s immediate priority, based on public comments, appears to be managing its strategic direction while coordinating with SkyTeam to protect passenger benefits such as codeshares, frequent-flyer arrangements and seamless connections during the transition period.
As the industry adapts, passengers should watch for official notices from both China Southern and SkyTeam about any changes to benefits, check-in procedures, baggage rules or codeshare flights that could be affected when the membership ends. Travelers with existing bookings or frequent-flyer status should consult their airline communications for guidance on how their benefits will be handled throughout 2019.