KLM will halt all its 270 weekly long-haul flights to the Netherlands from Friday after new COVID-19 rules were imposed by the Dutch government, a spokeswoman for the airline said. Among a series of new regulations announced on Wednesday was a requirement for passengers and crew to show evidence of a second negative rapid coronavirus test taken just before departure.<br/>
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France is often criticised for its heavy-handed approach to cross-border industrial collaboration. Remember the tensions unleashed in the Renault-Nissan alliance when Paris pushed for a merger of the carmakers, knowing that Japan was strongly opposed? Or the battles between France and Germany for control of Airbus, the Franco-German aircraft maker? Now it is the turn of Air France-KLM, the airline created in 2004 by the so-called merger of France’s flag carrier with the Netherlands’ own champion. But, this time, it is not only French interference that is creating friction ahead of a vital fundraising — and possibly jeopardising the future of Europe’s first aviation alliance. It is also the illusion perpetuated by Dutch politicians and KLM’s management that the carrier is still an independent entity, despite having sold itself to Air France almost two decades ago. For that is what KLM did when it agreed to create what was then the world’s biggest airline by revenue. At the time, Air France was not only bigger, but healthier, than KLM. True, there were many safeguards built into the agreement that still give KLM some independence. But both airlines knew then — and should know now — that their post-Covid fortunes are better together than apart. While there has been progress on collaboration, the group needs to go further if it is to compete successfully when the market recovers and the likes of Ryanair and Wizz Air are gunning for market share. Right now, Air France-KLM is struggling with a balance sheet that cannot bear the weight of E10.4b in loans backed by the French and Dutch governments to help it through the pandemic. While there is no immediate need for cash, a big capital increase is required to cope with that debt burden. But fundraising discussions must first overcome deeply embedded Dutch suspicions about the French state that — not illogically — wants greater integration of the airline to improve competitiveness. The Dutch government, perhaps also understandably, wants to ensure that not a penny of Dutch taxpayers’ money goes to Air France, which, unlike KLM, has consistently failed to tackle the labour costs that have weighed on its profitability. Story has more.<br/>
EU says Alitalia brand must go in airline's revamp: L'Espresso<br/>Italy would have to drop the 75-year-old Alitalia brand if it wants the European Commission to approve plans to relaunch the airline, according to a letter published by L’Espresso magazine. Loss-making Alitalia has endured 11 years of turbulent private management and three failed restructuring attempts, with the government now seeking to nationalise and relaunch the ailing flag carrier after the coronavirus crisis scuppered plans to sell it. “The Alitalia brand should not be retained by the NewCo, since it is an emblematic indicator of continuity,” the EU said in the letter published by L’Espresso. The letter, dated Jan. 8, also asks Rome to launch an “open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional tender” to shed Alitalia assets, rejecting the idea that the old carrier could sell its belongings to the new company in a private negotiation. A Commission representative said the EU executive had no comment on the press report and that it is in contact with the Italian authorities on the matter and cannot comment on ongoing discussions. The EU can block the injection of E3b earmarked by the Italian government for the new company, thwarting Rome’s ambitions for the airline. “The NewCo should not retain the combined aviation, ground handling and maintenance businesses,” the EU competition watchdog is quoted as saying in the letter.<br/>
Delta is threatening to permanently ban rude passengers, according to a travel blog quoting a memo to employees from the American airline's CEO. "Those who refuse to display basic civility to our people or their fellow travellers are not welcome on Delta," Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote. "Their actions will not be tolerated, and they will not have the privilege of flying our airline ever again." Bastian prefaced this by saying that "respect and civility to others on our planes, at our airports, in our workplaces, and in our society - even when we have differences of opinion - have always been a requirement for our people and our customers”. Ben Schlappig, the travel consultant and frequent flyer who wrote the blog item, said the violence that broke out at the US Capitol on January 6 has "changed a lot of things in the travel industry," including the adoption of more restrictive policies. The pandemic and mask-wearing has been another issue that airlines have had to contend with and one of the biggest disruptions to the industry since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which forever changed airport security procedures. So far, Delta has banned more than 800 passengers related to mask compliance, according to onemileatatime.com. Those passengers, the blog said, will be able to fly again when the mask mandate ends. Squabbles over a variety of things - ranging from complaints about the size of seats to carry on bags - seem to be escalating. They also are getting national attention through social media when they are recorded on video and widely shared.<br/>