EVA Air (BR, Taipei Taoyuan) will officially join Star Alliance as its 27th member on June 18, 2013, the carrier has stated. The announcement comes after the Taiwanese carrier signed an agreement with the Star Alliance in Taipei last year, paving the way for its full membership later this year. EVA is Taiwan's second biggest carrier and has a global network that stretches from Asia to Europe, North America and Oceania, linking more than 60 cities. Its larger competitor, China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan), joined Skyteam in September 2011 becoming its 15th member.