Air France-KLM (+cityhopper)

[Seth K 3]

04 07JAN08 29MAR08 1 3 56 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0588

772 sounds good enough for me Might choose KLM(LHR-AMS-LOS) over Air Madrid(LHR-MAD-LOS)

 

Pieter, I'm looking forward to redeem my flight with Skyteam points, from KUL-perhaps to Korea this coming Spring Break, do u happen to know any of the flight options?

Edited February 21, 2007 by Seth K

[Pieter C. 5]

772 sounds good enough for me Might choose KLM(LHR-AMS-LOS) over Air Madrid(LHR-MAD-LOS)

 

Pieter, I'm looking forward to redeem my flight with Skyteam points, from KUL-perhaps to Korea this coming Spring Break, do u happen to know any of the flight options?

 

Air Madrid ? They went bust !!! Do you mean IB ?

 

Only Skyteam carrier between KUL and South-Korea is KE; check the Skyteam-website or KE one about redeeming your points: it depends more-or-less per airline

[Keith T 2]

I'm pretty sure you'd have to check with your 'home' FFP as it's their points you're using to redeem, not the operating carrier you're hoping to get seats on.

[Pieter C. 5]

Leo van Wijk, CEO at KLM, will become permanent Chairman of the Skyteam Alliance, effective 01apr07. He will remain the #2 at the AF-KL Board...He will be replaced by Peter Hartman, currently COO at KLM.

 

This will be a good sign for MH's entry into ST, IMHO, as KLM always had, and still has excellent cooperation with MH ex AMS, and Leo certainly does know about this

[Pieter C. 5]

For the people wanting to see an operational KLM 767: this is the last week

to do so! Next Sunday, the 4th of March, PH-BZK will make it's last

commercial flight inbound AMS (as KL652 from IAD).

NB: This week the BZK will only be scheduled on the AMS-IAD route.

 

PH-BZK will go to Air Astana (as P4-KCB). Delivery expected early April.

Just before delivery the aircraft will make a testflight in Air Astana

colors (still registered as PH-BZK).

 

[Ken K. Kour 0]

KLM and MAS expand codeshare cooperation on domestic Malaysian destinations

 

AMSTELVEEN, February 27, 2007 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) are further intensifying their codeshare cooperation.

From March 1, 2007, KLM passengers on flights between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur will be able to book under KLM flight numbers fot connecting domestic services operated by MAS between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Penang, Langkawi, and Kota Kinabalu.

 

 

Full Story[/url

[Pieter C. 5]

KLM and MAS expand codeshare cooperation on domestic Malaysian destinations

 

AMSTELVEEN, February 27, 2007 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) are further intensifying their codeshare cooperation.

From March 1, 2007, KLM passengers on flights between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur will be able to book under KLM flight numbers fot connecting domestic services operated by MAS between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Penang, Langkawi, and Kota Kinabalu.

Full Story[/url

 

Terima kasih, Ken; baaahhhhhhh, you're even faster than me

 

Good news; this is what I meant with the excellent cooperation between KL and MH...no doubt, MH might expand their code-share with KL in Europe

[Alif A. F. 0]

Looking forward to see KLM logos on overhead screen at domestic ticketing counter soon!

[Pieter C. 5]

KLM and MAS expand codeshare cooperation on domestic Malaysian destinations

 

Some more news:

 

KLM and MAS Expand Codeshare Cooperation

 

Starting March 1, KLM passengers flying on a KLM ticket between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur can book connecting domestic flights on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to and from Penang, Langkawi, and Kota Kinabalu.

 

KLM is pleased about this codeshare expansion with MAS. “We’re glad that we can intensify and expand on this successful cooperation,” says Hans de Roos. MAS and KLM have been collaborating since 1998 through reciprocal codesharing on flights between Schiphol and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Further to this agreement, starting this week, KLM passengers can make use of codesharing on MAS flights from Kuala Lumpur to Australia and New Zealand. MAS, in turn, can use codesharing on a variety of European KLM flights to and from Schiphol. KLM frequent flyers will also benefit from the expansion, earning and spending Flying Blue miles on MAS codeshare flights.

 

 

 

[Pieter C. 5]

PH-BZK will go to Air Astana (as P4-KCB). Delivery expected early April.

Just before delivery the aircraft will make a testflight in Air Astana

colors (still registered as PH-BZK).

 

and news of another one became 'public' today:

 

The first Boeing 767-300ER of Malev was delivered new to KLM in February 1999 and operated as PH-BZM 'Garibaldi Bridge' .

According to plans, this aircraft will be delivered to Malev on the 15th of March 2007 as HA-LHC.

 

[Andrew Ong 1]

773 - PH-BVA February 2008

 

First 773 for KLM?

 

Can KL send the T7 to do the AMS-LAX route, intead of bringing the same 744s?

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Andrew,

 

They will; see the schedule below:

 

FLT NO: KL0603 D/S: S07

PERIOD FREQ A/C D TECHN CONFIG/PP FIRST FLT NEXT FLT

26MAR07 27APR07 1 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

30APR07 01JUN07 1 3 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

04JUN07 22SEP07 123 56 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

25SEP07 26OCT07 2 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

 

arrival in UTC 1725 and departure in UTC 1925

[Andrew Ong 1]

Andrew,

 

They will; see the schedule below:

 

FLT NO: KL0603 D/S: S07

PERIOD FREQ A/C D TECHN CONFIG/PP FIRST FLT NEXT FLT

26MAR07 27APR07 1 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

30APR07 01JUN07 1 3 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

04JUN07 22SEP07 123 56 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

25SEP07 26OCT07 2 5 772 A 35C 292M 6 KL0604

 

arrival in UTC 1725 and departure in UTC 1925

 

Thanks Pieter for the info

Edited March 6, 2007 by Andrew Ong

[Pieter C. 5]

Should be delivered to KLM on 13/03/07, arriving here on 14/03/07; post modification program on 15/03/07 and 1st commercial flight 16/03/07.

 

http://www.microvoltradio.com/images/pae1072.jpg

 

1st KLM 737 with winglets

[Pieter C. 5]

Assn. of European Airlines released members' punctuality and baggage-handling performance for 2006, revealing the majors' ongoing luggage-related difficulties. British Airways was the worst-performing of the 24 reporting carriers with 23 missing bags per 1,000 passengers. TAP Portugal was 23rd with 21 missing bags, Lufthansa 22nd with 18.1 and Air France 21st with 16.6. Top-ranked carrier was Air Malta with 4.4 missing bags per 1,000 passengers. Turkish Airlines (4.7) and Air One (8.1) rounded out the top three. Six carriers did not report. The 24 reporting airlines posted an average 15.7 missing bags per 1,000 passengers.

 

Best short-/medium-haul ontime arrival performance was Luxair's 89.6%, followed by SN Brussels Airlines (87%) and KLM (86.6%). Cyprus Airways was worst at 68.9%, just below Air One's 70.1%. Icelandair enjoyed a 100% completion factor while Olympic Airlines cancelled a high 3.2% of its flights. AEA's overall short-/medium-haul ontime arrival performance was 77.9% with a 98.5% completion factor.

 

KLM posted the best long-haul ontime arrival performance with 79.9%, with Austrian Airlines (77.4%) second and Finnair (76.3%) third. Spanair's 37.3% was the worst. Icelandair was the only airline to operate 100% of its scheduled flights, while bmi led reporting carriers with a cancellation rate of 3.8%. Overall, AEA carriers' long-haul flights arrived ontime at a 66.3% rate with 0.5% cancelled.

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Air France Denies Interest In US Partners

 

April 12, 2007

Air France-KLM denied on Thursday a report it may acquire minority stakes in US partner carriers Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines.

 

French newspaper La Tribune reported in an advance copy of an article to be published in its Friday edition that Air France-KLM was studying such a move amid fears of sector consolidation following a failed bid for Delta by US Airways earlier this year.

 

"Air France-KLM denies any possibility of taking a stake in Delta and Northwest," an Air France-KLM spokeswoman said.

 

Citing unnamed sources, La Tribune said Air France was looking at buying into one or both airlines once they have emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, expected in the coming weeks.

 

Such a move could be a prelude to creating a formal joint venture on transatlantic routes between the airlines, the report said. An existing joint venture between KLM and Northwest comes to an end later this year, the paper said.

 

Any formal joint venture agreement between the airlines would require approval from anti-trust authorities.

 

Foreign investors can own only 25 percent of a US airline's voting stock. The "open skies" deal the United States and European Union are expected to sign this month does not change that ownership limit, but it does set out a timetable for the two sides to address the issue in more detail.

 

There is very little foreign investment in US carriers now, and the Democrat-controlled Congress -- strongly lobbied by labor groups opposing foreign ownership of US airlines -- has shown no interest in changing the investment law.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Martinair is 50% KLM, so I'll post MP (bad) news here:

 

Martinair posted a €7 million ($9.5 million) net loss in 2006, reversed from a profit of €14 million in 2005, as both its cargo and passenger activities were impacted by high fuel prices. Operating loss was €17 million compared to a prior-year operating profit of €22 million. Turnover climbed 9.1% to €1.2 billion. Passenger revenue rose 10% to €377 million but the operation suffered a loss of €15 million, widened from €7 million in 2005. Cargo revenue was up 13% to €798 million on a 6% growth in volume to 3.7 billion CTKs. The cargo operation lost €3 million, a major reversal from 2005's €40 million profit.

 

In addition to fuel, the Dutch carrier said results were impacted negatively by one-off costs associated with phasing out its 747-200 fleet and the loss generated by Colombian subsidiary Tampa Cargo. It said it "strives to return to profitability levels comparable to the years before 2006" in the current year.

 

and some (good) Transavia news (100% KLM):

 

Transavia.com took delivery of its 18th 737-800. It also operates 10 737-700s.

 

 

 

 

[Pieter C. 5]

AF KLM completes three-year merger phase, announces management overhaul

 

Friday May 4, 2007

Air France KLM will be changing its top management structure in line with increasing integration between the two airlines and marking the conclusion of the three-year phase-in period following their merger in May 2004.

 

The group now will be managed by an executive committee consisting of eight members, each representing an operational division across both airlines. This replaces the existing strategic management committee, comprising four members from each carrier, which meets every two weeks alternating between Paris and Amsterdam and makes decisions relating to coordination of the networks and hubs, medium-term budgets, investments and fleet plans as well as alliances.

 

"The strategic management committee members represented a company; those of the executive committee will represent a function," a spokesperson told ATW, stressing that the group will "remain faithful to the principle of one group-two airlines but we will become more reactive" and that the changes fit within a legal a framework established as part of the merger.

 

The framework contains two main elements: A three-year agreement ending today and a 2004-12 accord covering traffic rights, preservation of the KLM brand, balanced development of the two hubs of Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle and a fair division of the management positions.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Air France is allowed at the end of the initial phase to increase its representation on KLM's supervisory board from four to five of the nine seats, on group level to evolve the strategic management committee into a more functional management committee and to dissolve the Dutch foundations, which were created to safeguard the Dutch nationality of KLM. While the first two elements will take place, the last will remain untouched.

 

The eight divisional director posts will be shared "equitably" between Air France and KLM executives. They comprise finance, cargo, international sales, revenue management, pricing and sales, purchasing and fleet, IT, MRO (only marketing and strategy) and the French market. They do not include flight or hub operations and HR. The new executive committee will be put in place by the beginning of summer.

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Air France-KLM April Traffic Rises 3.1 Percent

 

May 7, 2007

Air France-KLM reported a 3.1 percent rise in April traffic on Monday, carrying around 6.3 million passengers over the month.

 

The airline said its April load factor fell by 0.8 percentage points from last year to 82.3 percent.

 

Last week, rival British Airways reported a 2.2 percent fall in April traffic, while budget airline Ryanair reported a 19 percent rise.

 

Air France shares were up 1.6 percent at 38.45 euros in early trade. The stock earlier reached a peak of 38.46 euros, its highest level since early 1997.

 

Based on latest prices, Air France shares have risen by roughly 20 percent since the start of 2007.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Pieter C. 5]

KLM launched a trial on long-haul routes to Singapore, Manila and Curacao to charge passengers for seats with more legroom or on an exit row, Reuters reported. The charge is €50 ($67.71) per "extra," the airline said

[Pieter C. 5]

China Southern, Air France KLM in negotiations to launch cargo JV

 

Wednesday May 16, 2007

China Southern Airlines and Air France KLM have entered into exclusive talks to launch a joint venture cargo carrier in China, AF KLM Vice Chairman and KLM President and CEO Leo van Wijk revealed recently in Beijing.

 

China Southern previously said it expects to launch a cargo JV by the end of 2007. The carriers currently are negotiating ownership share and where to base the JV. Earlier this year, China Southern Vice MD Xu Jiebo said a foreign airline would hold a 49% stake in a cargo JV, the maximum allowable foreign investment under CAAC regulations. "As an important member of SkyTeam, Air France KLM is one of the Western carriers we are in talks with," he acknowledged at the time.

 

Beijing has been encouraging foreign airlines with worldwide networks to launch cargo ventures with Chinese carriers as the nation's production of export goods continues to accelerate rapidly. Air China last month unveiled details of a cargo airline it plans to operate in partnership with Cathay Pacific Airways; Lufthansa and Shenzhen Airlines launched Jade Cargo International last year and Korean Air intends to launch a JV cargo carrier with Chinese logistics firm Sinotrans this year.

 

China Southern boasts an extensive network in Southeast Asia, which is why it likely would have little interest in launching a cargo entity with an Asia/Pacific airline, industry analysts point out. But a formidable Western carrier such as AF KLM would expand its cargo reach to Europe and the US. "So far, no specific scheme has been fixed, but this joint venture will be launched most probably this year," a source familiar with the negotiations said.

 

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Air France-KLM Profit Rises 32.5 Percent

 

May 24, 2007

Air France-KLM on Thursday posted a 32.5 percent rise in 2006-07 operating profit, led by passenger traffic growth, and announced a plan to save EUR1.4 billion euros (USD$1.88 billion) over three years.

 

Europe's biggest airline in terms of passenger numbers, and the world's largest by revenues, said its widely watched operating income reached EUR1.24 billion (USD$1.66 billion) in the year to March 31 as revenues rose 7.6 percent to EUR23.073 billion (USD$31 billion).

 

The figures imply a one percentage point gain in the operating margin to 5.4 percent, compared with 2005-06.

 

The Franco-Dutch airline group's shares rose more than two percent on the results, which despite coming in slightly below market forecasts, highlighted a better performance than British Airways and were buttressed by fresh cost-cutting.

 

Its French network, Air France, also announced a USD$7 billion aircraft order, split between Airbus and Boeing.

 

Air France merged with Dutch national airline KLM in 2004 but the two still operate separate fleets and networks.

 

For the current 2007-08 year, Air France-KLM is targeting a capacity increase in the order of 5 percent and a further improvement in operating profit.

 

The group reaffirmed synergy targets from its 2004 merger.

 

It also upgraded its forecast for return on capital employed to 7 percent in 2007-08, two years earlier than planned, and 8.5 percent by 2009-10. Last year's outcome was 6.5 percent.

 

"Our strong fundamentals combined with our significant competitive advantages, as well as the positive outlook for global growth and our employees make me confident we can achieve this target," Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta said in a statement.

 

The new cost-savings program, "Challenge 10", should generate savings of EUR560 million (USD$752.2 billion) during the year and reduce unit costs by 3 percent over 3 years, the airline group said.

 

It said the fiscal first quarter would be affected by negative calendar effects in May. But activity both in terms of traffic and advance bookings was in line with expectations.

 

The 2006-07 results included a EUR9 million profit for the fourth quarter for which the group had predicted break-even. A year earlier it had lost EUR4 million on cargo difficulties.

 

Passenger traffic increased by 5.4 percent in 2006/07 on 4.4 percent higher capacity, pushing the load factor up 0.8 percentage points to 81.4 percent. The group carried 73.5 million passengers.

 

British Airways last week reported a 13 percent decline in operating profit in the year to March 31. Its shares were down 1.2 percent in early trading on Thursday.

 

Spinetta sidestepped questions at a news conference on whether Air France-KLM was interested in bidding for Spanish airline Iberia, which is being courted by BA.

 

"We remain attentive to what is happening in the European sector," he said. Consolidation is not over in Europe, he said.

 

Analysts say Iberia's strong position on fast-growing Latin American routes is attractive to European carriers, but that BA's 10 percent stake in Iberia is a barrier to Air France-KLM.

 

(Reuters)

 

Here are more details of the aircraft order:

 

Air France In USD$7 Billion Plane Orders

 

May 24, 2007

Air France announced a USD$7 billion aircraft order on Thursday, split between Airbus and Boeing.

 

The deals include an order for two more A380 superjumbos, the world's largest airliner whose two-year production delays have left manufacturer Airbus facing penalties to airlines.

 

Air France said it had also placed orders for 30 A320-family single-aisle aircraft from Airbus and 18 wide-body 777-300 long-haul aircraft from Boeing.

 

The Boeing 777 order is designed to help phase out Boeing 747s in the Air France network and includes 5 cargo aircraft.

 

Air France merged with Dutch national airline KLM in 2004 but the two operate separate fleets and networks.

 

Air France had already placed orders for 10 double-decker A380s with options for another 4. The airline exercised half of these options, bringing its firm order for the model to 12 and leaving it with margin to buy another two later.

 

Air France officials said the new order for two more A380s was part of a compensation agreement with Airbus to cover the initial delivery delays, but that the same agreement would also include unspecified cash penalties.

 

(Reuters)

 

Previously ordered 773's went to KLM and rumours are these will also replace the current 744's (not only with AF but also) with KL

So, guys, in a few more years, you'll see 773's i.s.o. 744's at KUL

 

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Some KLM cityhopper news:

 

KLM cityhopper will take-over 5 Fokker F70 aircraft from the Regional arm of Air France. The aircraft are currently registered as F-GLIS, GLIT, GLIU, GLIV and GLIX.

This will make KLC the largest F70 operator in the world, as the total will increase to 27 of the 42 built

When these additional F70's will be delivered is yet to be decided...

 

[Pieter C. 5]

KLM Plane Hits Turbulence, 10 Hurt

 

June 1, 2007

Ten people were slightly hurt when a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines passenger plane bound for the Japanese city of Osaka hit turbulence soon after take-off from Amsterdam, officials said on Thursday.

 

The KLM Boeing 777 flight 867, with 262 passengers and 14 crew on board, touched down at Kansai International Airport in Osaka around 09:15 a.m. (0045 GMT) on Thursday, airport officials said.

 

The passenger plane hit turbulence about two and a half hours after taking off, airline officials said. One official said the pilots had decided to continue the flight rather than make an emergency landing as the injuries did not appear to be serious.

 

The ten people injured included three female cabin crew in their 30s from the Netherlands, airport police said.

 

"None of them was injured seriously," a police official said.

 

(Reuters)

 

Aircraft involved was PH-BQA "Albert Plesman", and it happened in the Sankt-Peterburg area...

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Friday June 1, 2007

Transavia.com nearly doubled its full-year net earnings and enjoyed a 29th successive year in the black despite "a strongly competitive market with prices under continual pressure," the Dutch LCC said. It reported a €20.1 million profit for the fiscal year ended March 31 compared to an €11.1 million profit the year before.

 

The Amsterdam-based airline, whose French spinoff commenced operations from Paris Orly last month, enjoyed a 14.6% increase in turnover to €684.2 million while operating expenses rose 13.3% to €649.8 million. Operating income soared 45.9% to €34.3 million. With a fleet of 27-31 737-700s/-800s depending on the season, transavia.com carried 5.1 million passengers during the year, an increase of 7.8%. Capacity grew 8% to 12.38 billion ASKs and load factor was up 1 point to 84%. This summer it will operate scheduled flights to 28 destinations and charter services to 77 destinations with 32 aircraft.

 

The airline said it is "faced with the challenge of using its growth potential by investing in new products and markets," as opportunities for profitable growth in the Netherlands are limited. President and CEO Onno van den Brink told reporters that transavia.com is looking into possibilities to expand abroad and said the launch of its French offshoot is only the "beginning." Possibilities include opening up bases in other countries as well as acquisition of an existing carrier.