Nine SkyTeam carriers just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with British Airport Authority (BAA) to co-locate their facilities in Terminal 4 at London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) providing easier connections and more convenience to the nearly 3.5 million SkyTeam passengers who travel through LHR each year.

According to the agreement, by 2008 carriers with existing LHR service, including Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines and Korean Air, will join KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which currently serves its passengers in this terminal. Other carriers – Aeromexico, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines – will have the option to operate in this terminal should they serve LHR in the future.

The move illustrates the carriers’ focus on benefits to their customers and their partners’ customers. As a result of this co-location, SkyTeam customers traveling through LHR will have access to several service enhancements. Current plans call for 32 check-in desks, additional bag drop-off locations, lounge facilities and room to add kiosks for self-service check-in.

“Our co-location strategy in major international hubs allows SkyTeam to provide faster connections for passengers around the world,” said Giorgio Callegari, leader of the SkyTeam airport infrastructure project and vice president, alliances and business development at Alitalia. “This MOU marks an important milestone for SkyTeam because LHR is a major point of convergence for global travelers.”

The new facility will help the current SkyTeam members operating out of LHR to manage passenger volume, provide more options to alliance travelers, and continue to offer the highest levels of customer service to better accommodate the nearly 3.5 million SkyTeam passengers traveling through LHR per year.

SkyTeam has co-locations in several major destinations and hubs around the world, including: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Beijing, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Geneva, Istanbul, Lagos, Manchester, Mexico City, Munich, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Paris-CDG2, Prague, Rome, Stuttgart, Tunis, Venice and Vienna.

“SkyTeam strives to provide its passengers with a smooth and hassle-free travel experience before, between and after their flights,” Callegari added. “By co-locating to a common area, SkyTeam members serving LHR will be able to provide customers the quality care and recognition they’ve come to expect – all backed by the combined services of six airlines.”

In addition to greater convenience and higher quality service for passengers, SkyTeam co-locations maximize airport facility utilization, delivering substantial cost savings for participating member carriers.