The full transcript of Elbers' interview in Routes Magazine, in which he discusses the airline’s network rebuild and why sustainability remains a key focus during the recovery from COVID-19.
Ever since it became obvious that the state loans and guarantees allocated to Air France-KLM to help it survive the COVID-19 crisis would not be enough, executives and ministers in the group’s home countries have been scrambling to come up with a new solution.
Conditions remain challenging in the first quarter of 2021, in which the group expects to operate 40% of pre-pandemic capacity as ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions stifle flying
France’s transport minister has called for “fair competition” regarding conditions set to be imposed by the European Commission (EC) on a planned state recapitalization of Air France-KLM.
Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith has reportedly called for the conditions Europe is expected to impose on the Franco-Dutch airline group’s recapitalization to be proportionate.
Air France-KLM has launched a new sustainability scheme that allows corporate customers to determine an annual contribution to the group’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program.
France and the Netherlands are holding discussions to resolve their differences over how they should approach a planned recapitalization for Air France-KLM to get through the COVID-19 crisis.
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.
