Saudi latest to sign up with SkyTeam

The SkyTeam airline alliance continues to extend its reach across the globe.

Saudi Arabian Airlines has signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. The Jeddah-based carrier will become the alliance's first Middle East member.

SkyTeam said Saudi Arabian would add 35 new destinations to its network.

It noted that the airline "is fully focused on its four-year turnaround programme to be completed by 2013.

Key elements of this plan include modernisation of its infrastructure, restructuring of its domestic and international network and implementing its fleet modernisation plan.

Last year, China Eastern Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas all agreed to join SkyTeam