Delta, Air France-KLM and Alitalia to reduce trans-Atlantic capacity

The members of the trans-Atlantic joint venture – Delta, Air France-KLM and Alitalia – have confirmed a year-on-year 7 to 9% reduction in trans-Atlantic passenger capacity this fall between Europe and the United States and Canada, as the airlines respond to a significant increase in jet fuel prices and fluctuating seasonal demand.

 “Our alliance allows us to make strategic decisions about our network and operate as a single airline on trans-Atlantic flights,” said Bruno Matheu, executive vice president Marketing, Revenue Management and Network for Air France-KLM. “Combining our efforts, we are able to leverage the benefits of the joint venture to respond to economic and external cost pressures.”

The four member airlines will adjust their combined network and decrease capacity by reducing frequency on selected routes during the fall and winter seasons and right-sizing the joint venture fleet across the Atlantic while introducing seasonal flying to warm weather destinations.