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KLM announced a boost in flights to London City airport and said it favours a “liberal” Brexit deal that would maintain maximum access for UK and continental airlines. KLM has held talks with the Dutch govt about the split and made clear the importance of safeguarding UK operations, CE Pieter Elbers said Wednesday. Britain is the carrier’s second-biggest market with 6m seats, on flights to 17 airports including London City, where it is doubling frequencies to 8 a day. “The delicate balance we need to find here is how we keep the European philosophy alive and yet not create a situation which is going to be bad for business,” Elbers said. Discussions with Dutch authorities include “mapping what could be possible scenarios and possible ways to go forward.” <br/>

Alitalia was forced to cancel 394 flights—including 12 intercontinental flights—between late evening April 4 and early morning April 6 because of a 24-hour strike action called by trade unions. “I can’t say how many flights [in total] will be canceled, but we have been able to rebook 92% of our passengers; 50% of them were able to fly today. It is the second Alitalia strike this year,” a spokesperson said. The strike action comes following a March 31 meeting that included Alitalia’s incoming president Luigi Gubitosi, Alitalia’s outgoing president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and several Italian govt ministers. “I can confirm that from [April 6] the parties will begin talks about a rescue plan with the protesting labour unions,” the spokesperson said. A deadline for the deal is set for April 13. <br/>