Air France-KLM has told French newspaper La Tribune it is looking for partners to help it open up the American and Indian market. Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, chief executive officer, also said that he hoped to “announce good news soon”.
Gourgeon also attacked the unfair advantage airlines in the Middle Eastern carriers had over European airlines due to the lack of social charges and taxes in their home countries. The airline chief called for traffic rights to be halted for Middle Eastern carriers until the playing field is levelled.
Meanwhile, Air France-KLM, has raised its full-year earnings target to an operating profit of more than €300 million ($409 million) for the 12 months to March 31. It had forecast only a “positive” result on October 26. The airline group’s share price rose the most in five months on the news to 75.5 cents, or 5.7%, to 13.98 euros, the steepest gain since June 3. The stock has added 27 percent this year, valuing the company at €4.19 billion.
The airline is also planning to add four new Asian destinations by 2014, and several in Africa and the Middle East and the Americas.
Gourgeon announced the airline has added PT Garuda Indonesia to its SkyTeam alliance and is actively seeking new members in India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.