Air France-KLM questions how to keep Alitalia in SkyTeam
Air France-KLM and its U.S. partner Delta Airlines (DAL) are thinking on ways to keep the troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia in the SkyTeam Alliance without purchasing it, Reuters reported on February 16, 2018.
The Franco-Dutch group is not interested in buying Alitalia, according to Jean-Marc Janaillac, Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM, but its leave from alliance would have a negative impact for Air France-KLM.
Frederic Gagey, CFO of Air France-KLM, told Bloomberg that Air France-KLM is laying foundations for the new North Atlantic joint venture with its partner airlines – Delta Airlines (DAL) and Virgin Atlantic. Alitalia, another partner of Air France-KLM, is also in the talks.
Similarly, Janaillac said that within a framework of the new North-Atlantic routes, a special role is foreseen for Alitalia, and it would be “quite negative” if the Italian carrier became a competitor, according to Reuters.
Alitalia is known for its long struggling history of financial loses and multiple restructuring attempts. After going into administration in March 2017, the carrier is still on auction, struggling to find suitable bidders.
Germany’s Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) , British low-cost carrier EasyJet and U.S. private equity fund Cerberus are among companies that have already been named as potential buyers, while Air France-KLM denies numerous reports of its participation in the bid.
Boeing calls operators to address potential 737 MAX electric issue
Boeing calls 16 operators of the 737 MAX aircraft to address a potential electric issue....
IATA sees no sign of recovery, as air travel numbers plunge
IATA noted a continuous trend of negative air travel demand in February 2021....
Two Ethiopian Boeing 737s attempt landing at unfinished Zambian airport
An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 attempted landing at an unfinished airport in Ndola, Zambia, two hours after another on...
Kiwis and kangaroos’ reunite: Australia & New Zealand to open travel bubble
As Australia and New Zealand are preparing to open a two-way travel bubble, Qantas and Air New Zealand are ramping up fl...