Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has launched what it describes as the world’s first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program for the airfreight industry.
The most effective way for airlines to cut emissions in the short term is to invest in more efficient new aircraft, though extra taxation of the sector threatens that, Air France-KLM Group CEO Ben Smith said.
Air France-KLM Group CEO Ben Smith is reportedly predicting leisure and business demand will rebound as soon as a COVID-19 treatment/vaccine becomes available or rapid tests are put in place.
European airlines’ capacity plans were already indicating that traffic levels would fall further in the coming weeks. As lockdown after lockdown begins, the mood within the industry is gloomier still.
The Dutch government has failed to approve a restructuring plan for flag-carrier KLM after unions refused to agree to make salary commitments for the duration of the planned state aid package.
Air France-KLM Group said Air France expected to operate around 35% of its 2019 network passenger capacity and KLM about 45% in the fourth quarter, as the group reported a 2020 third-quarter loss of €1.67 billion ($1.95 billion).
Air France-KLM and travel technology company Amadeus have signed a New Distribution Capability (NDC) agreement which will allow travel agents to access the airline group’s NDC offers through the Amadeus Travel Platform and its NDC-enabled solutions.
Chief executives from some of the world’s leading airlines will be in attendance at Routes Reconnected to discuss the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business models and how they intend to rebuild passenger demand.
As Europe gets back to work after the traditional summer break, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith will be rolling up his sleeves for the next phase of plans to revamp Air France—plans which have become even more important since the COVID-19 crisis.
Air France-KLM, pledging to step up its restructuring plans as it unveiled a massive quarterly loss caused by the COVID-19 crisis, said it expects capacity to remain at least 20% below 2019 levels in 2021, with a recovery to pre-crisis capacity by 2024.
Air France plans to cut 6,560 jobs by the end of 2022, with a further 1,020 to go from its regional subsidiary HOP! through fleet simplification and restructuring.
Dutch carrier KLM has secured a total of €3.4 billion ($3.8 billion) in government support through a state-guaranteed loan and a direct loan to help it withstand the COVID-19 crisis, adding to the €7 billion France has granted to sister airline Air France.
Air France-KLM posted a net loss of €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) for the first three months of the year, hit by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis on its operations.
The European Commission has approved the French state’s €7 billion ($7.7 billion) package to help Air France-KLM withstand the COVID-19 crisis, saying the plans comply with EU state aid rules and praising the decision to link the funding to environmental targets.
France’s economy minister has told Air France to drastically reduce its emissions in return for the €7 billion ($7.6 billion) in loans the French state has promised the Air France-KLM group to help it survive the COVID-19 crisis.
The Dutch government plans to provide €2-4 billion ($2.2-4.4 billion) in COVID-19 crisis-related financial assistance to KLM, following on France’s pledged €7 billion to help Air France and the Air France-KLM group.
The French state will grant Air France-KLM a total of €7 billion ($7.6 billion) in loans to help it weather the COVID-19 crisis, and longer-term may consider increasing its stake, the Franco-Dutch airline group said April 24.
Air France-KLM’s CEO Ben Smith said he would forego his 2020 bonus and promised to speed up restructuring as the airline group moved closer to securing a multi-billion-euro state-guaranteed loan from France.
