Delta welcomes Middle East Airlines into SkyTeam Alliance

"We are pleased to welcome a second Middle East airline into the alliance and honored that MEA has chosen to link its future growth and success with SkyTeam," said Charlie Pappas, Delta's vice president - Alliances. "MEA's entry into our alliance will bring SkyTeam customers an increased choice of destinations and schedules across the Middle East and Western Africa."

With the addition of Middle East Airlines, Delta customers will be able to earn and redeem miles via Delta's SkyMiles program on flights operated by MEA. The airlines will also offer lounge reciprocity to Delta and MEA Elite passengers at Rafic Hariri International airport and more than 45 Delta SkyClubs in airports worldwide.

SkyTeam is actively working to increase its presence in the Middle East, one of the world's most important economic regions. In January, Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first airline in the region to announce its intention to join SkyTeam.

In 2010, the SkyTeam Alliance saw considerable growth in its tenth anniversary year. Vietnam Airlines and TAROM joined the alliance in June while China Airlines, China East Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas are each slated to join by 2012.