Taiwan's China Airlines in world's big freight alliance SkyTeam Cargo

TAIWAN's China Airlines (CAL) has joined SkyTeam Cargo to benefit from shared resources and expand its shipping network from current 84 destinations in 27 countries to 864 destinations in 174 countries.

The alliance means it can exchange business expertise with other member airlines such as Delta Cargo, China Southern Cargo and Air France Cargo and reduce its operational costs by generating higher volumes, said CAL vice president James Yu.

Delta Air Lines head Tony Charaf agreed that its extensive network with Asia, Europe, North America and Ocean, and strong exposure in the cross-strait market "will certainly enhance the network and opportunities of the alliance."

SkyTeam Cargo, the world's largest cargo alliance was founded in 2000 and has 10 member airlines throughout the world with the addition of CAL.

CAL joined SkyTeam Alliance in 2011, a grouping of 18 members comprising a passenger flight network that offers more than 15,000 daily services to 993 destinations in 186 countries.