SkyTeam carrier China Southern replaces chief amid probe

China Southern Airlines -- a partner of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines through its Sky Team alliance -- has replaced its chief amid a government probe, according to a Bloomberg report.

A former Transport vice-minister was named to replace China Southern's chairman Si Xian Min, who resigned in January "after coming under investigation for 'serious' discipline violations," according to the Bloomberg article.

Delta and other major carriers depend on alliances with other airlines around the world to build out a global network that can carry passengers across the globe. Xian Min and Delta CEO Richard Anderson had both participated in SkyTeam meetings.