Xiamen Airlines Co Ltd on Wednesday joined SkyTeam, one of the three main global airline alliances, and became the its third member from the Chinese mainland.

The airline is also the 19th member of SkyTeam globally and adds three new hubs — Xiamen and Fuzhou in Fujian province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, to the alliance.

Xiamen Airlines, which is China's six largest carrier by market value, has signed 72 bilateral contracts with members of the alliance.

"Membership of SkyTeam will enable us to deliver enhanced customer benefits as we diversify and grow our network, and this is key to the success of our new international routes," said Che Shanglun, president and CEO of Xiamen Airlines.

Xiamen Airlines, with a fleet of 86 aircraft, operates more than 220 routes in China and other parts of Asia. SkyTeam membership offers Xiamen Airlines' customers connectivity onto international routes from China operated by other alliance members.

"By joining SkyTeam, Xiamen Airlines opens up the world to its passengers. And today we also strengthen SkyTeam's footprint in China," said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam's managing director. "China remains a priority region for our alliance. Xiamen Airlines will join our members China Southern and China Eastern in developing customer-focused initiatives."