At the meeting, Ms. Colvile mentioned the progress on the SkyTeam 2.0 project. SkyTeam will further focus on the customer and technology element, with the aim to deliver customers a seamless end-to-end travel experience by recognizing loyalty across a global network and offering solutions to members through proprietary, evolutionary technology.

Overview of the high-level meeting between CEO Duong Tri Thanh and SkyTeam CEO Kristin Colvive.

According to Ms. Colvile, one of the main focuses of the SkyTeam 2.0 project is the transformation of its governance & operating model. Accordingly, the Alliance Board, the Executive Board, and the Alliance Advisory Group will make changes in attendance from each affiliate. It is expected that the new governance model will be officially put into operation from January 2019.

Ms. Colvile constantly talked about building a new brand identity for SkyTeam. SkyTeam has become a well-recognized consumer brand. That’s why SkyTeam needs to move towards from the current "Master Brand" to "Ingredient Brand" to be able to simplify the brand, easily adapt to the business environment of each airline. Ms. Colvile suggested that SkyTeam brand should only appear when needed, the branding guidelines should be more flexible, customer oriented and adaptable by each Alliance member depending on their own needs.

CEO Duong Tri Thanh exchanging discussions with SkyTeam CEO Kristin Colvile.

CEO Duong Tri Thanh responded to Ms. Colvile's proposal that SkyTeam should keep the current brand concept in place to assist small airlines to become well-recognized in their unserved market, for example: maintaining the totem with all members’ logo in the touch-points like check-in counters, lounges…

During the meeting, SkyTeam CEO continues to talk about potential airlines that can join the Alliance in the future. Several airlines are expected to join the Alliance, including Gol Linhas Aeras Inteligentes (Brazil), Philippine Airlines, Gulf Air (Bahrain), Bangkok Airways, Westjet (Canada), Virgin Atlantic (UK) and Hong Kong Airlines. Among these carriers, VNA has codeshare partnership with Philippine Airlines and Bangkok Airways.

CEO Duong Tri Thanh once again affirmed that new airlines joining SkyTeam Alliance are positive signs, providing opportunities to strengthen networking and development. At the same time, VNA will be ready to support any potential airline joining the Alliance in the coming time.

The two parties gave souvenirs at the end of the meeting.