New Delhi Jan. 21 Even as the proposed merger of Air India and Indian gets under way, both are being wooed by global aviation alliances to join.

On Saturday Indian was invited to join the 10-member airline grouping SkyTeam by the President and Chief Operating Officer of Air France, Mr Pierre-Henri Gourgeon. Air France is the largest member of SkyTeam.

At a meeting with the Chairman and Managing Director of Indian, Mr V. Trivedi, Air France proposed that Indian was a "suitable candidate" for joining the alliance as it provided synergy not only within India but also in the Gulf region where the European airline has a strong presence.

The SkyTeam has as its members Air France, KLM, Continental, Northwest and Aeroflot among others that together operate more than 14,600 flights daily to 728 destinations in 149 countries.

The Indian side explained that a decision on the invitation could not be taken immediately not only because of the proposed merger but also as the airline was undergoing a safety audit being done by the International Air Transport Association.

The invitation, interestingly, comes close on the heels of an expected announcement on Air India joining a global airline alliance. Earlier, the airline Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas, while refusing to name the global aviation alliance that the airline would be joining said that a decision on joining a global alliance was expected at the end 2006.

Air India officials maintain that a final announcement was delayed only due to the Christmas and New Year holidays in Europe, where a final decision on the airlines membership was to be taken.