Dutch carrier KLM has secured EU approval for €3.4 billion ($3.9 billion) in government-support measures, which the European Commission (EC) described as “urgent liquidity support.”
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.
KLM plans to further expand its European and intercontinental flying in the coming months, restoring connectivity to 78% of the destinations it originally intended to serve this summer.
European carriers are taking the first steps towards restoring parts of their flight schedules, after the COVID-19 pandemic left most carriers grounding virtually their entire fleets.
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.
Dutch flag-carrier KLM is combining with the Netherlands government and health technology conglomerate Royal Philips in creating a “cargo air bridge” for essential medical supplies from China to Europe.
Ryanair expects “the majority” of its fleet will be grounded while Finnair and SAS are among the latest airlines to stop almost all flights. Air France is also grounding its entire Airbus A380 fleet and KLM its entire Boeing 747 fleet.
This week: Air France-KLM drops Virgin Atlantic deal plans; Ryanair to close two bases; Transavia to start Brussels service; codeshare agreed between Gulf Air and Middle East Airlines and more.
An expanded transatlantic joint venture between Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic has been given final approval by the US Department of Transportation. The airlines claim the new partnership would offer “the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits”.
After being denied in its quest to form a joint venture with LATAM Airlines Group and American Airlines – and then seeing rival Delta Air Lines take a stake in LATAM – International Airlines Group is strengthening its position on transatlantic services to South America with the acquisition of Air Europa. Routesonline looks at the current state of play on Europe – Latin America routes.
Air France-KLM and China Eastern's joint venture is to be enlarged to include Virgin Atlantic. As well as the new partnership, it has also been confirmed that regional airline Flybe, which was acquired earlier this year by a consortium that includes Virgin Atlantic, will re-brand as Virgin Connect.
In the second of a three-part feature, Routesonline takes a closer look at the organisations shortlisted in three categories of the World Routes Awards 2019.
