KLM Alliance decision

Well I think it will be Air France:

KLM is a partner of NW
NW is a partner of DL
DL is a partner of AF
AF is looking for a European partner

Ironically this will bring KLM back to Alitalia.

I would like to see KLM joining OneWorld, that will benifit and strangthen there business in Europe and also in the America and Asia region with BA and KLM both having a wide network.

That makes three of us then interested in the alliances 🙂

It would be strange to see Alitalia and KLM co-operating again I agree but ultimately would it have any choice considering it would probably be unlikely to break up with Northwest, which seems committed to Skyteam? Although I still think Oneworld is better for them, If the NW/KL relationship broke up KLM would be without a US partner and would be vulnerable to competition.

I think if it were to join Oneworld it would be good for BA, for example regional off to Amsterdam and also they would be eliminating the competition and considering the former BA/KL rumours it could be a good situation for BA. But then again with Swiss having ATI with American and them effectively re-organising themselves, could it be that BA would except Swiss eliminating any need for KLM in Oneworld?

One of my favourite topics as well. Love the business side of things.

I think that it’s also important to remember that KLM has access to terminal four at LHR, making connections for both airlines very convenient. It would increase both carriers’ trans-Atlantic seating capacity as well as to other destinations.

I do like the Skyteam alliance, they cover so much with so few members. It seems very efficient. But if I was going to sign on to AF I would be leary of what seems like frequent labour problems and potential disruptions to service.

Whomever KLM joins it could potentially set that that alliance carrier up to be a MAJOR dominent merge in Europe were that ever to happen.

My favourite aviation topic…..airline alliances!

I did my honours degree dissertation on this subject.

Don’t forget that Alitalia belong to Skyteam. I was led to believe that KL and AZ don’t get along because of their falling out a couple of years ago?

I am in a bit of a predicament over which alliance I think KLM would choose. One part of me thinks that KLM would never break its co-operation with Northwest as they are very strong partners, and with the CO/NW and DL co-operations (and Delta being a Skyteam big shot) I think KLM would have no other option than to go to Skyteam. Continental and Northwest want to go to Skyteam and with KLM getting left behind it would seem that maybe its US partner has made the decision for them.

Then again I think Oneworld because KLM would be making a big mistake in joining Skyteam. AF would not give up growth at CDG for Amsterdam and so will not give KLM the deal it wants. Oneworld would probably possess more options for KLM, it is just Northwest complicates it.

KLM is in a bit of a bad situation and has run out of options. Just a game of waiting I suppose because KLM has said it cannot survive without joining an alliance.

Mongu, what would KLM gain from Star?

I would expect Skyteam.

KLM would be a big catch for any alliance and there is no doubt BA in particular would love to have KLM on board. But if I remember correctly there was a clash of cultures between KLM and BA when the takeover talks were in progress, so maybe they would prefer Air France.

Interestingly, I think they will be under pressure to consider the political dimension –

Skyteam – “old europe”
Oneworld – “new europe”

Anyway, why was Star ruled out?

I’m expecting Skyteam 🙂

BTW , what about NW if KL joins a big alliance?

i am expecting OneWorld.