Sales climbing at merged airline
Air France and KLM merged in May
Europe’s biggest airline, Air France KLM, has reported a 12.3% rise in first quarter sales.
The figures, for April through to June, were the first consolidated data published by the group since Air France acquired Dutch carrier KLM in May.
Turnover in the first financial quarter was 4.463bn euros (£3bn; $5.47bn) against a comparable 3.974bn euros.
The figures come after German carrier Lufthansa posted quarterly profits of 149m euros, up from 65m euros.
Lufthansa said if fuel costs did not escalate, it expected to see an operating profit of around 300m euros for the year.
Meanwhile, Air France said its contribution to the first quarter 2004/05 turnover at the new combined airline amounted to 3.36bn euros, up 11.8% on last year.
KLM’s two-month contribution was 1.10bn euros, up 14.3%.
The merged company owns 100% of both airlines but KLM has remained Dutch – with 51% of its voting rights held by the state and two foundations – allowing KLM to retain its foreign landing rights.
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August 16, 2004 at 5:23 pm