Air France-KLM and China Eastern to 'step up their commercial cooperation'

Air France-KLM and China Eastern Airlines announced (27-Jul-2017) plans to "step up their commercial cooperation" and reinforce the partnership within the framework of their existing JV. Plans include:

• Securing and reinforcing Air France-KLM's presence in the Chinese market with a "long term" partnership;
• Giving Air France-KLM a European leadership position in Shanghai, the main business market in China;
• Increased cooperation in terms of the network, pricing and operational synergies.

Air France-KLM stated the strengthening of the cooperation will "take place in accordance with the partnership strategy" of Delta Air Lines, which already holds a 3.2% stake in China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited. This cooperation does not call into question the current joint-ventures between the Air France-KLM Group and China Southern. [more - original PR]