International rail operator Eurostar has joined SkyTeam as the first non-airline partner of the alliance.
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The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide more intermodal travel options across Europe and plan to work together ¡°in the coming months¡± to create ¡°a more integrated experience¡± for air-to-rail travel. The partnership is expected to launch in the first half of 2025.
The move follows a similar multimodal partnership between German train operator Deutsche Bahn and the Star Alliance group of carriers that was announced in July 2022.
Eurostar already works with Dutch carrier KLM, a member of SkyTeam, to provide air-to-rail products and said it will continue to develop these offers as part of the alliance.
Commenting on the SkyTeam partnership, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave, said: ¡°We are creating a future where travellers can connect between Eurostar trains, domestic railways and long-haul flying, opening up our services to new markets across the globe.
¡°Today is a major step forward towards this mission and we look forward to working with SkyTeam to develop the customer proposition so more travellers can experience Eurostar¡¯s unique service.¡±
According to the companies, around 13 per cent of Eurostar passengers flying long-haul into one of SkyTeam¡¯s main European hubs connect to another Eurostar destination by rail.
SkyTeam currently counts Air France, KLM, ITA Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Europa and most recently SAS among its Europe-based airline members.
SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux added: ¡°Working with Eurostar as our first non-airline partner underscores SkyTeam¡¯s commitment to delivering a more integrated and responsible travel experience by incorporating intermodal travel.
¡°I look forward to developing our partnership and offering customers greater choice in how they travel across SkyTeam¡¯s global network.¡±?