Air France-KLM, Air Europa to form joint venture

Air France-KLM and Air Europa intend to extend their existing codeshare into a joint venture, covering flights between Europe and Central and South America. Air France and Air Europa, which have been codesharing since 2003, currently cooperate on 21 European routes. Likewise, KLM has 19 codeshares with Air Europa, under a partnership that began in 2002. “Both parties are currently conducting an integral analysis of a deeper and expanded cooperation, aiming at a JV agreement between Air France-KLM and Air Europa between Europe and Central/South America to strengthen the joint offer to customers,” the airlines said. Air France-KLM and Air Europa said the extended partnership will provide improved connectivity, better seat availability and “a basis to launch new routes and direct flights” between the two continents. <br/>