Air France-KLM Group

2024 was full of challenges and milestones for airline consolidation efforts around the world.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Long-haul routes being launched by Delta Air Lines, All Nippon Airwaysand Air France are among the more eye-catching services being launched this month.

Air France-KLM has confirmed it is in talks with Air Europa, which is owned by Globalia, amid reports that it is looking to buy a stake in the Spanish carrier.

Scandinavian Airlines says it has achieved a reduction of almost 20% in CO2 emissions per passenger on a polar route flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles.

The 2024 third quarter (Q3) delivered record operating revenues and positive net results for the three main European airline groups.

The region’s network carriers highlighted cost pressures and aircraft delays, although some saw strong profits.

The plans are part of the new French government’s proposed 2025 budget and would see a tripling of the so-called Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets (TSBA).

Air France-KLM expects full-year costs to increase more than predicted as it presented results showing the Olympic Games hit profits in the third quarter.

To be ready for an anticipated surge in Leap engine shop visit demand, Safran Aircraft Engines is adding capacity to its global MRO network.

Over 50 companies have joined forces to get electrofuel (e-SAF) production up and running during a critical time window during the next two years.

The Dutch arm of AFI KLM E&M will be under new leadership from the beginning of 2025.

The new French government’s plan to raise an extra €1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) per year from taxes on aviation came as no surprise.

Encouraging travelers to book flights outside the peak summer season is good for airlines and passengers alike.

Transavia is adapting its offer to attract Air France's traditional business clientele on domestic routes, while appealing to its own core leisure clientele.

Air France-KLM has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies for the supply of up to 1.5 million tons of more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through 2035.

Long talked about European consolidation seems to be gaining traction, if governments can be reassured.

Factors such as new engine durability issues and extended lead times for engine parts are presenting challenges for MRO giant Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance.

International Airlines Group, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are all interested in buying TAP Air Portugal. Access to Latin America is the key factor.

Whoever gets control of TAP either solidifies a leading market position or can gain market share to better compete with much larger rivals.

TAP has returned to pre-COVID level operations, reporting a Q2 profit based on strong summer demand, its structural transformation and MRO business.

Air France-KLM has completed its acquisition of a 19.9% stake in SAS in a deal that could one day see the group take majority control of the carrier.

Air France-KLM, IAG and Lufthansa Group had strong operating revenues and positive net results in Q2 2024, an improvement on their Q1 losses.

The multinational airline group cited regulatory challenges as it announced it was abandoning its plan to acquire Air Europa.

Air France-KLM has reduced its capacity growth outlook for the full year and says the Olympic Games have had a €40 million impact on its Q2 operating margin.