KLM seeks partner, but stays single
24 September 2002
Dutch airline KLM is looking to Air France and to Alitalia to form a European alliance, KLM CEO Leo van Wijk told the Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf on Tuesday.
Van Wijk was reacting to the news that Air France and Alitalia are in discussions with the Skyteam Alliance of Americans, Continental, Delta, and Northwest, and a code-sharing arrangement that includes Aeromexico, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, and Korean Air.
Northwest remains a partner of KLM as well, although the US-based airline says it is re-evaluating that relationship.
Van Wijk said that an alliance with the Skyteam group would be an attractive option. But he is also considering an alliance with British Airways. Discussions with BA are underway, but no commitments have been made so far.
KLM does not have to form an alliance however, Van Wijk claimed, citing the company’s USD 1.3 billion in cash reserves.
But industry analysts, do not believe that small national airlines will be able to survive the coming years of competition without major alliances.
Most European industry analysts foresee the creation of two or three major clusters of airlines that would be based around the main European Union carriers, with commitments in worldwide alliances alongside American, Asian and African partners.
Air France has announced that the two airlines have been engaged in talks for months over KLM joining the SkyTeam alliance, but that no conclusion had been reached.
© 2002 Novum Nieuws |
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