SkyTeam announced the first carriers selected to begin the joining process:

- Air Europa of Spain
- Copa Airlines of Panama
- Kenya Airways of Kenya
- Tarom of Romania

All four carriers have already begun the process of meeting the necessary operational and service standards to attain Associate status, with completion expected in 2006. The airlines will sign a SkyTeam Associate Adherence Agreement (SAAA) this summer.

"As we approach our fifth anniversary, it is fitting that we prepare to welcome the first four Associate Airlines," said Leo van Wijk, CEO and president of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. "The Associate Program is a new tool of SkyTeam's growth strategy and will broaden the alliance's presence to several strategic regions while providing more travelers with access to our expanding network."

With access to the alliance's expanding network, the Associate Program extends SkyTeam's benefits to more passengers. As part of their involvement with SkyTeam, Associate Airlines will adhere to several key alliance programs, including:

- Frequent Flyer Reciprocity: Associate Airlines will adopt the frequent flyer program of one of the Member airlines. This step will help expedite the integration process enabling passengers to get frequent flyer benefits sooner.

- Lounge Access: Associate Airlines will establish bilateral agreements for passenger lounge access. By doing this, all SkyTeam Elite Plus Members, as well as international first or business class passengers holding a SkyTeam Member or SkyTeam Associate Airlines international ticket will have complimentary access to SkyTeam lounges on day of travel.

- Codeshare Agreements: Associate Airlines will enter agreements for codesharing with certain SkyTeam Members. This will allow Member Airlines to serve additional destinations.

"We have worked to make sure the Associate Program will benefit everyone involved - current Members, Associates and, most importantly, our alliance customers," said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. "Once the integration is complete, travelers flying with a SkyTeam Member or SkyTeam Associate Airline will be able to experience the combined resources of 13 airlines across the globe as part of the consistent, high quality service that is SkyTeam's hallmark."

As part of the joining process, each candidate has been assigned a current Member to act as its Sponsor and aid in the joining and integration processes. The Sponsor will represent the interests of the Associate Airline in all decision-making situations, as well as facilitate the relationship between the Associate and the other SkyTeam Member airlines.

The Associate - Sponsor airlines are:

- Air Europa - Air France
- Copa Airlines - Continental Airlines
- Kenya Airways - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Tarom - Alitalia

Each Associate Airline candidate must meet a set of predetermined requirements in areas such as operations, information technology and products. Upon completion of the requirements, each candidate must receive formal approval from the Governing Board before becoming an official Associate Airline. All Associate candidates are expected to complete an audit during 2006 as the first milestone to official Associate membership.

With a fleet of 35 aircraft, Air Europa serves over 7.7 million passengers annually and flies to 55 destinations in 27 countries, including destinations throughout Spain and Western Europe as well as cities in North Africa, Latin America and Asia. www.aireuropa.com

With a fleet of 24 aircraft, Copa Airlines serves 1.5 million passengers annually and flies to 33 destinations in 21 countries, including destinations in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. www.copaair.com

SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering nine members, including Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines. Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 343.6 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 15,000 daily flights covering all major destinations.