Air France-KLM welcomes Delta and Northwest merger

Air France-KLM has welcomed the merger of Delta and Northwest, and said that it won't need to help finance the planned merger between its two partners.

The airline has said that it is "confident" that it can quickly build a global partnership between the four carriers "in the form of a joint venture offering a network with extremely attractive multiple hubs".

KLM announces new routes for summer

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has revealed that it is going to increase the number of routes it will be operating during the summer from London Heathrow Airport.

The Netherlands' flag carrier announced today (Friday, March 14) that it is expanding its network of transatlantic flights from Heathrow in cooperation with Northwest Airlines.

Out of London Heathrow, Northwest Airlines will gradually start three new daily services to Minneapolis (from £892), Detroit (from £757) and Seattle (from £1,140)*.

KLM launches new carbon offsetting scheme

KLM has announced details of a new carbon offsetting scheme for its passengers, called CO2ZERO.

The airline has claimed that the new initiative will be integrated in both the online booking and check-in processes, with 100 per cent of every contribution being put towards offsetting projects.

Only Gold Standard schemes will be helped by the undertaking, meaning they have the highest available carbon dioxide certificate and are fully supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Air France-KLM takes over VLM

VLM Airlines, the largest carrier at London City Airport, has been taken over by Air France-KLM for an undisclosed sum.

Announcing the deal, Air France-KLM stated that the acquisition will see VLM working closely with CityJet, its subsidiary airline that also operates out of London City.

The newly-acquired company currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, including 18 Fokker 50 and one BAE 146, with the majority of its flights departing from London City Airport.

Air France KLM announces interest in Alitalia

An official announcement has been made today by Air France KLM that it is interested in buying troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia.

It is the first airline to formally express an interest in buying the 49 per cent stake in Alitalia owned by the Italian government. Alitalia has struggled in recent years with rising costs, frequent strikes and an increasingly competitive market.

Air France chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta said: "This major step in European consolidation would not only be beneficial for passengers but would also meet the requirements for the group’s economic and financial stability."

Audio books, free texts and more for KLM passengers

Dutch airline KLM is in the process of expanding its range of in-flight entertainment to help keep long-haul passengers amused.

The carrier, which flies to destinations across the world from its Amsterdam Schiphol hub, will introduce innovations such as audio books, language lessons, a business program and free texting/email onboard its intercontinental fleet over the coming few months.

During August, September and October the in-flight texting and email function, which usually costs $2.50 per message, will be available to use free of charge.

Meal options changed on KLM's European flights

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and its KLM Cityhopper operation will introduce a new in-flight meal service for its economy passengers on short and medium-haul routes across Europe.

The airline, which flies to seven UK airports and offers a host of connection options, will serve a new, more elaborate sandwich on flights operated during “mealtimes”, while outside these hours, passengers will have the choice of a sweet or savory snack.

Erik Varwijk, of KLM in-flight services, said: “These improvements are the result of a survey among passengers, ascertaining their needs and their opinion of our in-flight product and services.”

Winglets to be added to KLM fleet

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is to begin fitting winglets to all its Boeing jets as it looks to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet.

Many airlines have added vertical extensions to the wings of their jets, which improve the aerodynamics of an aircraft, reducing fuel consumption and related CO2 emissions.

KLM is to do the same. When it takes delivery of new Boeing 737 aircraft each plane will have the winglets, and the airline's existing fleet of 737s will also be equipped with winglets before the spring of 2008.

Design your own luggage labels with KLM

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is allowing passengers to design their own personal luggage labels, using their own photos or those in the airline's archive.

Using a new facility on the KLM website, travellers have the chance to "throw out those boring old luggage labels and give [their] case or bag a new look".

Each passenger can make two labels through an easy-to-use section of the site. At the "design" stage of the process, they can choose to upload their own picture of whatever they want, or a pre-selected KLM picture.

Apple to integrate iPod on Air France, Emirates, United and others

US electronics giant Apple is joining forces with airlines including Air France, KLM and Emirates to allow passengers to plug their iPods into seat-back entertainment systems.

From mid-2007, passengers will be able to use iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods, as well as allowing video content to be displayed on seat-back screens.

US airlines Continental, Delta and United will also benefit from the iPod connectivity feature and Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics to include even more airlines in the future.

Air France and KLM lower fuel surcharge

Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have both lowered their fuel surcharges for European and international flights.

Air France has removed a €7 (£4.60) surcharge on its long-haul flights, effective from February 3, Reuters reports.

KLM has lowered its surcharge on flights within Europe by €1 to €21 (£13.90), and that on its long-haul flights by €5 to €50 (£33), effective from the same day.

KLM expands Boeing fleet

© Capital Photos (for KLM)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, has ordered three Next-Generation 737-800s from aircraft maker Boeing.

Operating from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, KLM currently runs a modern fleet of 190 aircraft and serves more than 250 destinations around the world.

With the purchase of three 737-800s, the carrier is looking to boost its reputation as one of Europe's leading low-cost airlines and it is thought the planes - costing £107 million each - will be delivered in 2008.

Bluetooth messaging tested by KLM at Schiphol

KLM is to test the delivery of messages via Bluetooth technology at Schiphol Airport over the next few weeks.

The introduction of so-called BlueCasting for travellers will mean when people are within range of transmitters they will receive messages, such as advising them to check-in online.

Passengers will have to activate the Bluetooth function on their electronic devices and KLM say that they will not receive more than one message.

At-a-glance booking on KLM website

KLM has made its online booking system more user-friendly.

The Dutch airline's new at-a-glance booking system considerably improves the usability of KLM's booking tools.

As soon as visitors select their departure airport and destination, the KLM web page will display an overview of the available ticket prices and conditions, starting with the lowest fares.

KLM renews in-flight menu offerings

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is revamping its in-flight menu options for both business and economy class international passengers.

The airline, which flies to seven UK airports and offers a host of connection options, is bringing in the changes to World Business Class, international economy class and KLM Europe Select flights.

From today (December 1), passengers in World Business Class will be able to dine on the cuisine of Jacques and Laurent Pourcel. The brothers run first-rate restaurants in many countries and have produced a menu of hors d'oeuvres, three main dishes and dessert.

New flight on KLM route to Moscow

KLM is to increase the frequency of flights it offers on its route between Amsterdam and Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport.

From March 25 the airline will add a daily afternoon service to its current morning flight, with the return trip leaving the Russian capital in the early evening and landing in Schiphol at 7.55pm.

The new flight also joins a code share agreement between KLM and Aeroflot, which see the Russian carrier operate a daily service from Moscow to Amsterdam.

KLM cuts fuel surcharge

KLM has said that it will be cutting its fuel surcharge, as oil prices fall.

The Dutch airline has announced that fuel surcharges would be reduced by €5 (about £3.50) on long-haul routes, while the charge on European flights would fall by €1 (approximately £0.70).

In August, as the price of a barrel of oil touched $77, KLM said the increased cost of fuel meant it was forced to increase the surcharge on tickets, but promised to review charges once oil prices dropped below $70 for 30 days in a row.

KLM to start Lima link

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is to begin flights between Amsterdam and Lima, Peru, from next spring.

The non-stop flights will operate six times a week (every day except Monday) on Boeing 777 aircraft, from Sunday, March 25, 2007.

Currently, KLM operates flights to Lima with a stopover at Bonaire and the new flights will cut flight times by 90 minutes in each direction.

More Chengdu flights from KLM

KLM is set to increase the frequency of its flights from Amsterdam to Chengdu in central China.

The Dutch airline originally began operating scheduled flights to the Chinese city - an important economic centre in Sichuan province - at the end of May.

As a result of strong demand, KLM will increase the frequency from two return flights a week to three roundtrips from December 1.

Air France and KLM increase fuel surcharge as oil rises

Both KLM and Air France have announced an increase in their fuel surcharges as the cost of oil rises on world markets.

Although the two airlines operate under the banner of Air France – KLM, they have each applied different charges and conditions on when the surcharge would be cut.

Air France has said it will increase its fuel surcharge by €1 on domestic flights, €2 for European flights and €7 on tickets to long-haul destinations.

KLM increases capacity at Newcastle

KLM has underlined the importance of its cheap flights from Newcastle to the Dutch capital Amsterdam with an order for seven new Boeing 734s.

The new aircraft will join the Fokker 100 and Fokker 70 airplanes already operating on the route, increasing passenger capacity by as much as 11 per cent and paving the way for more flights in the future.

KLM and Air France launch joint online service

Air France and KLM passengers can now check in online for flights to most of the airlines' destinations.

The new combined service means customers can save time by choosing seat numbers and printing boarding cards from their own homes.

KLM estimates that more than three quarters (76 per cent) of all tickets it sells are already e-tickets.

KLM to unearth Amsterdam's 'hidden gems'

There's more to Amsterdam than just tulips, windmills and coffee shops.

That'll be the message from KLM when it launches a new web page designed to alert Brits to the "hidden gems" of the Dutch capital.

To help transmit its message, the Dutch carrier is enlisting the help of five top DJs and designers, each of whom will dispense handy hints and tips on how to get the best out of the city.

KLM looks to expand e-ticket service

KLM is joining the increasing number of airlines keen to make booking a flight a 100 per cent e-ticking operation.

They have signed up to an electronic ticketing service provided by Worldspan that allows them to fast-track the process of integrating their own processes with the new system.

KLM opens up central China

A new route is to be launched by KLM from Amsterdam to central China, opening up a part of the country few airlines currently service.

KLM has said it will offer flights twice a week to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, from May 28.

KLM launches new Danish flights

KLM has announced that it will begin flying to the Danish city of Billund next Summer.

Starting on March 26, 2006, the airline will operate three daily flights from its main base at Amsterdam Schiphol airport to Billund.

This will replace its current codeshare agreement with Sterling Blue on the route.

Billund is the main international airport for the Jutland-Funen region and handles around two million travellers a year.

Northwest suspends Gatwick to Minneapolis flights

Northwest airlines has decided to indefinitely suspend flights between London Gatwick and Minneapolis St Paul because of the airline's ongoing financial difficulties.

The airline will cease flights on the route from October 30. It has not given an indication of when, if ever, flights will resume.

Dutch airline KLM, which operates a code-share agreement with Northwest, has pledged to honour tickets purchased for flights to Minneapolis St Paul after this date.

New Uganda flights for KLM

© Capital Photos (for KLM)

KLM will begin direct flights to the Ugandan capital, Entebbe this winter.

Starting on November 1, the Dutch airline will fly three times a week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to Uganda from Amsterdam Schipol Airport.

The airline will offer flights to Entebbe via Amsterdam from 16 airports in the UK. Fares from the UK to Entebbe start from £480, excluding taxes.

KLM increases Amsterdam automated check-in facilities

KLM is overhauling its check-in facilities at Amsterdam Schipol Airport in order to increase the number of passengers using its automatic services.

The airline is installing 14 new baggage drop-off points and 16 self-service check-in machines at the airport, which are scheduled to come into operation in November.

Self-service machines will replace check-in rows 13 and 14 in Schipol Airport's Departure Hall Two.

When the work is completed, 75 per cent of KLM's check-in capacity at its major worldwide hub will be automated.

More passengers choosing Air France-KLM

© Capital Photos (for KLM)

An increasing number of passengers flew with Air France and KLM last month.

The airlines, which merged last year to form the world's largest airline group, carried a combined total of 6.5 million passengers in July.

This represents a 7.1 per cent increase on the same month last year, suggesting that service has improved now that the merger has had time to take effect.

KLM considers business transatlantic service

Dutch airline KLM is reportedly considering offering an all-business transatlantic service to its customers.

The airline is currently conducting a feasibility study into the new route, which would probably be offered from Amsterdam Schiphol airport to Houston, Texas, Flight International reports.

KLM is considering such factors as passenger demand and in-flight product offering, which are likely to influence the decision to open a new route.

In addition, the airline has said that its unions and works council would need to agree to the proposals.

Passenger demand for business services on flights is currently high, as international travel continues to boom, with company travel taking a significant proportion of the market.

KLM explores possibilities in China's wild west

KLM is considering launching direct flights between Europe and Western China.

The Dutch airline is keen to take advantage of a new policy announced by the Chinese government allowing foreign airlines to fly to the country's six western provinces.

China is a popular tourist destination, but at present most international flights into the People's Republic are centred on three cities in Eastern China – the capital, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

This means that travellers are forced to take internal domestic flights or endure arduous 40-hour train journeys in order to reach many of China's most impressive tourist destinations, located in the west of the country.