S7 Airlines, Russia's second biggest airline, was suspended from the oneworld alliance last week. Aeroflot, Russia's biggest airline, has been suspended from the SkyTeam alliance. I am confused by what took so long.
Aeroflot has been suspended from the SkyTeam alliance. SkyTeam and Aeroflot have agreed to temporarily suspend the airline's membership.
SkyTeam states that it is working to limit the impact for customers and will inform those affected by any changes to SkyTeam benefits and services. This suspension is in place.
Aeroflot was the seventh airline to join SkyTeam. SkyTeam was founded by airlines like Aeromexico.
Many companies have imposed sanctions on Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine. SkyTeam isn't taking a stand against Russia or Aeroflot, but it's clear that they're not able to pay membership dues anymore.
This raises an interesting question. Whether justified or not, historically many consumers have associated airline alliance membership with an airline offering some basic level of quality, safety, etc.
Under orders from Putin, Aeroflot has been stealing leased planes and flying them domestically to avoid being repossessed. Let's not even think about the situation of Aeroflot planes not being insured.
Should consumers expect that an alliance will take a stand against something like that, or are non-stolen planes not an expectation of flying with an airline belonging to a global alliance?
I will be a bit tougher on SkyTeam than oneworld, because Aeroflot is owned by the government of Russia.
Aeroflot was temporarily suspended from the SkyTeam alliance. Russia invaded Ukraine two months ago. I think the decision has nothing to do with the airline alliance taking a stand, and a lot to do with Aeroflot no longer being able to contribute to the alliance financially due to all the restrictions in place.
What do you think about Aeroflot being suspended? Do you think airline alliances should stand up for themselves?
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