Air France KLM and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., which comprises the GOL and VARIG brands, have signed a commercial cooperation agreement which will enable the 15 million customers who are members of AIR FRANCE and KLM’s “Flying Blue” and GOL’s 6 million “Smiles” frequent flyer programmes to have access to new Frequent Flyers benefits and destinations.
The agreement has provisioned for code-sharing. By mid 2009, Air France will be adding its code to GOL flights between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and thirteen major Brazilian cities: Belem, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Campinas, Curitiba, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Iguassu Falls, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and Vitoria. More cities could be added later. A similar agreement is being prepared between KLM and GOL.
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Originally posted - 16:00GMT 21:30 local March 18
Something is in the air at the Bengaluru International Airport. For the second time in less than a week, an Airbus A330 is getting grounded at the airport with a technical fault.
Following the five day grounding of a Dragonair A330, it is the turn of Air France. F-GZCB which was to perform flight AF191 early this morning, has been grounded with a technical flaw in the avionics bay.
An Air France engineer is flying out with the required spares on tonight's AF192 flight, and is expected to fix the aircraft which should fly out some time tomorrow afternoon.
All the passengers on the stranded flight were put on alternate airlines or accommodated in hotels.
Update 1 - 13:00GMT 18:30 local March 19
After many efforts by the engineers at Bangalore very futile, a team of senior engineers flew in from Dubai late this afternoon on the Emirates flight and have commenced inspection of the aircraft. Parts are expected in from Paris on AF192 which should come in around 01:00 local. Hopefully F-GZCB will be repaired by tomorrow morning and leave back to her home in Paris.
Update 2 - 06:00GMT 11:30 local March 22
Poor F-GZCB is still sitting on the ground. Very forlorn. The major electrical problem has been addressed. The parking bill from the Airport is going to be big.
Update 3 - 18:00GMT 23:30 local March 22
F-GZCB finally flew out as a ferry flight at 19:00 local time (14:00 GMT). Even the departure was not without drama as the aircraft was originally scheduled to leave at 15:45 local to avoid the night curfew plaguing most European airports including Charles De Gaulle. At the last moment a hydraulics problem cropped up. Luckily there were three engineers from Air France at the site, and the issue was addressed and corrected in a record two hours.
Still special permission was needed for the European curfew, and having obtained it, the A330 finally left Bangalore almost five days after being on the ground.
Since F-GZCB was in "AOG" status (Aircraft On Ground) for such a long period, she will undergo a thorough check today before being pressed back in to service.
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Air traffic controllers in France are set to strike on Thursday 19 March in a national day of strike action.
Consequently the French Civil Aviation Authority, Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC) is limiting the number flights handled for each airline during that day.
Air France has confirmed it will operate all of of its long-haul flights.
On its short and medium haul network, Air France will operate nearly all its flights at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and 70 per cent of its flights at Paris-Orly, but warns that some flights may have to be cancelled during the day, and other delays may occur.
Air France is re-assuring its passengers that it will ensure that all its passengers travel.
Air France ground and sales staff will do their utmost to inform passengers if a flight is cancelled and, if necessary, offer an alternative flight either on Air France, on KLM via Amsterdam or one of the SkyTeam partner airlines.
Passengers are requested to log on to www.airfrance.com for all the latest information in the flight status tab or contact their travel operator.
Passengers in France may also call Air France on 3654, or, send a text message on their cell phones to 6 3654 indicating their flight number (e.g. AF2062).
Air France flight schedules will be updated on March 19th at noon.
Passengers on other airlines should check with their respective airlines. It will be a tough day to fly in France.
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A380 MSN017
The 5th A380 for Emirates Airlines, A6-EDE, is on the flight line at Hamburg and expected to be delivered in April. Thanks to the folks at the Hamburg Airport forum, enjoy the picture. Given the slowdown at Singapore Airlines, there is some debate on whether the next A380 out will be MSN026 (Qantas' 4th A380 VH-QQD) or MSN019 (Singapore Airlines' 7th A380 9V-SKG). I suggest following the knowledgeable folks at the A380 production forum.
Airbus delivers 500th A321 MSN3814
Last Friday, Airbus achieved a milestone and delivered the 500th A321 to Air France, who coincidentally received the first A321 delivered in 1994. As of date, Airbus has sold more than 750 A321s to about 65 customers all around the world.
Philippe Durand of Air France (left) and Uwe Schunke, Director Contractual Acceptance at AirbusKorean Air order for six Airbus A330-200 WV058
Last September, Airbus fired a shot across the bows of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, when it announced a new longer range A330-200. Weight Variant (WV058) A330-200 has a 238 tonne MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) providing it a range of 7,200 nm, and thus allowing Airbus a product to take on the first batch of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, till the A350XWB came on line.
Korean Air (KAL) has placed a new firm order with Airbus for six more A330-200 aircraft for the WV058 variant. The 7,200 nm range allows the airline to connect its home base at Incheon to almost all continents in the world non-stop with the exception of South America. KAL will use these new aircraft for medium density non-stop routes to North America and Europe.
The aircraft will be in a three-class cabin layout, and is scheduled for delivery from 2010. The new order increases the total number of A330s ordered by Korean Air to 25, comprising 16 A330-300s and nine A330-200s.One can speculate plenty, but this appears a preventive measure, and part of an on-going trend, due to the delivery delays on the 787, rather than a cancellation of KAL's 10 787-8 order. With significant vendor involvement in the 787, Korea will not risk economic repercussions a cancellation might bring.
It is possible that the ordered 10 787-8's will get converted to 787-9's, which are expected to commence delivery in 2013, and these will replace the existing KAL A330 fleet, but this is idle speculation for now.
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Last week Air France took delivery of the first Boeing 777F freighter.
Every new aircraft is given a water cannon salute, and for aviation romantics like me, it is always a poignant occasion, and one we do not see too often.
Courtesy Liz Matzelle enjoy these two videos of the new "Le Freighter" being given its first shower, and then taking off for its new home at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport.
Special thanks to Liz Matzelle and Jon Ostrower. Liz is a wonderful observer of birds and has some excellent videos. Jon, I cannot say enough compliments about him. His title says it all - FlightBlogger!!!
Do take the time to visit their respective sites. It will be time well spent.
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Boeing delivered the company's first 777 Freighter (777F) to launch customer Air France Cargo in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center Tour near Paine Field yesterday.
The contractual delivery and airplane departure are scheduled for Friday, and Air France will land F-GUOC, at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport tomorrow, 21 February, to join the airline’s fleet.
This video from Liz Matzelle shows the Boeing 777F being wheeled in to position for the ceremony. Thanks Liz. This aircraft does not wear the new livery Air France introduced a week ago.
Providing cargo capacity normally associated with larger airplanes, the 777 Freighter can fly 4,880 nautical miles (9,038 kilometers) with a full payload of 226,700 pounds (103 metric tons). Air France Cargo has ordered five of these aircraft to progressively replace the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in its fleet. Air France currently operates five 747-400ER Freighters (ERFs) and four 747-400BCFs.
With a full payload of 103 tonnes, able to carry a total of 37 pallets, equipped with a deck that can accommodate 3-metre pallets and a wide side door, the Boeing 777 freighter is able to carry the same type of freight as the Boeing 747 over equivalent distances.
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Last week Air France unveiled its new logo and livery. The current livery which was changed way back in 1975, i.e. 34 years ago. Due to the current cost pressures, the new scheme will be gradually introduced as new planes are inducted or as existing aircraft come in for maintenance.
Air France is now just one word, and the tail stripes have been subtly redesigned.
The French national colours (blue, white and red) remain present on the aircraft’s tail fin and fuselage
- navy blue, predominant since the birth of Air France, evokes the brand’s historical capital and the airline’s efficiency,
- white, the colour of excellence, suggests well-being and the French travel experience,
- the bright red accent, punctuates and energizes the brand, underlining both French chic and the attention paid to Air France customers by the airline’s staff, both on the ground and on board.
Click on the image to see an animation comparing the two tail liveries.
One aircraft that will definitely wear the new livery will be Air France's first Airbus A380 MSN033 which is expected to be registered F-HPJA, which first took to the skies, on a flight to the paint shop, on February 12th. Observe the old livery on the tail. Thanks to Christophe Ramos for the fabulous picture. Do take the time to visit his Flickr photostream.
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February 6th saw Airbus A380-861 MSN033 destined for Air France taxiing around Toulouse Blagnac (LFBO) airport.
We can expect to see the first flight VERY VERY SOON.
Air France is expected to put the aircraft on the Paris Montreal route.Thanks to pictaero for the images.
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From the Summer 2009 schedule which commences end March, Air France will suspend its thrice weekly flight between Paris Charles De Gaulle and Chennai Anna International, and withdraw from Chennai.
I strongly suspect this move is partly as a result of the relentless capacity expansion by Emirates Airlines across India.
With its non-stop connectivity to both the coasts of the United States, and Europe from Dubai, Emirates has been steadily poaching passengers from all other airlines across India. At Chennai, Emirates, will be increasing to 19 flights a week in February, and to thrice daily by end of the year.
In the recent past British Airways has withdrawn from Kolkata, KLM from Hyderabad, and Austrian Airlines from Mumbai. Alitalia completely withdrew, but then, those are due to its bankruptcy.
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Alitalia was put into bankruptcy on August 29, after two years of attempts to sell the 49.9 percent state owned airline. On December 12, CAI agreed to buy Alitalia’s main assets and to combine it with smaller rival Air One SpA before bringing in a foreign airline as a minority investor.
From tomorrow, Alitalia will operate as a new company. Air France-KLM will get three out of 19 seats on Alitalia’s board and two out of nine on the executive committee.
The tie-up is expected to deliver 720 million euro in savings and additional revenue over three years.
The press release from Air France-KLM
AIR FRANCE KLM reinforces its co-operation with Alitalia
Air France-KLM and Alitalia have reached an agreement to strengthen their partnership cemented by Air France-KLM taking a minority stake in Alitalia. This agreement will give Air France-KLM greater access to the Italian market thanks to Alitalia which, following its acquisition of Air One, has reinforced its position on the domestic market. It also links Alitalia to the world’s leading air transport group, thereby offering its passengers access to the most powerful network linking Europe to the rest of the world, henceforth organised around a unique combination of hubs from North to Southern Europe.
Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM stated “In view of the numerous challenges facing our sector, cooperation between airlines is becoming increasingly necessary, and this partnership represents an important milestone. We are happy with this reinforced partnership with Alitalia, which represents a compelling development opportunity for both our companies, and is in the interest of our shareholders, our customers and our employees”.
Terms of the operation
Air France-KLM will subscribe to a reserved capital increase for an amount of some 323 million euros. As a result of this operation, Air France-KLM will own 25% of the capital of Alitalia. Alitalia’s other main industrial and financial shareholders include the Riva Group, IMSSI, Banca Intesa and the Benetton group.
A lock-up agreement will be implemented for a period of 4 years up to 12 January 2013., During this time, no Italian shareholder will be able to transfer shares externally to the Alitalia shareholder group or to Air France-KLM. During the fifth year – between 13 January and 28 October 2013 – the transfer of shares to third parties will be possible, but only on condition that the other shareholders have not exercised their pre-emption rights and that the transfer is approved by Board of Directors of Alitalia. The lock-up will cease to apply only in the case of a stock market quotation starting as of the third year.
Air France-KLM’s holding in Alitalia will be accounted under the equity method.
Synergies
Air France-KLM and Alitalia have estimated a level of potential synergies which will feed through progressively. They should derive mainly from the optimization of the networks and revenue management as well as the extension of the JV between Air France and Alitalia and the implementation of a JV between Alitalia and KLM. These JVs will cover all traffic between the three countries.
For Air France-KLM, these synergies are estimated at around 90 million euros per annum by Year 2 or 3 at the EBIT level. Alitalia will generate total synergies of around 280 million euros per annum by Year 2 or 3 on its side, of which Air France-KLM will consolidate 25% by the equity method.
The operation will be earnings accretive for Air France-KLM as early as Year 2. Return on Equity on Air France-KLM’s investment will be in the region of 15% as of Year 3, excluding the positive impact of its own synergies.
Governance
Air France-KLM will be represented on the Alitalia Board by three members out of a total of 19 and on the Executive Committee of the Board by two members out of a total of nine. Elsewhere, a Partnership Manager responsible for implementing the partnership strategy and overseeing the generation of synergies will be appointed for a term of three years, renewable once, and will be appointed on a rotating basis by the two groups. The first such Partnership Manager will be designated by Air France-KLM.
Suspensive conditions
The implementation of this agreement is subject, amongst others, to the approval of the various competition authorities, including the EU, which could be forthcoming before the end of the first quarter of 2009.
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FlightBlogger is reporting, Airbus brought MSN033, the first A380 for Air France, it's European launch customer, out to the flight line in Toulouse yesterday.
Image courtesy FlightBlogger. Copyright David BarrieF-WWSB, which will eventually be registered as F-HPJA. As the photo shows, the airframe has its four GP7200 engines installed, and we can expect it to take its maiden flight within the next two to three weeks.
Snecma ImageAir France was originally expecting to put its new A380 in to service in April 2009 between Paris and Montreal, but expect some delays.
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While airlines have seen one of their biggest expenses, fuel, come down in price, they are still struggling to find demand as the world's major economies contract, and tis the season of industry consolidation.
British Airways on Tuesday said it's holding merger talks with Australian national carrier and fellow OneWorld alliance partner, Qantas Airways, in a deal that could combine two of the world's best-known international carriers.
British Airways, in a brief statement, said
In response to recent media speculation, British Airways Plc confirms that it is exploring a potential merger with Qantas Airways Limited via a dual-listed company structure.
The discussions between British Airways and Iberia are continuing.
There is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming and a further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate.
British Airways shares shot up 12.1% in London. Qantas shares ended 4.3% lower in Sydney.Iberia shares added 5.3% in Madrid.
British Airway possessed a 25% stake in the early 1990s which it sold in 2004. The British Airways talks with Iberia have languished because of Iberia's concerns about the U.K. airline's pension liabilities.
British Airways has been a very busy airline lately. In addition to the Qantas and Iberia negotiations, it is seeking antitrust immunity, from U.S. and European regulators, on its proposed partnership with American Airlines for which it is seeking. A proposal vehemently opposed by arch rival Virgin Atlantic.Virgin has a presence in Australia in the form of low cost carrier, Virgin Blue. It will be interesting to see how the rivalry will carry over down under.
Like in the United States, Australia limits foreign ownership of domestic carriers. But the BBC was reporting that that may change:
It [the merger statement] follows indications from the Australian government earlier in the day that it may be prepared to relax the rules on foreign ownership.
Under current Australian law, Qantas must be at least 51% Australian-owned.
Any individual foreign airline can only own up to 25% of it and only a total of 35% may be owned by foreign airlines.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese proposed earlier on Tuesday that the rules be changed so that while 51% must still be Australian-owned, the remaining 49% may be owned by a single foreign airline.
The Australian government recently released a key industry blueprint that would cap foreign ownership at 49% in a bid to keep Singapore Airlines out of the lucrative U.S-to-Australia route.The possible BA-Qantas link-up occurs as the industry consolidates. Delta has recently merged with Northwest, and on Monday, Ryanair Holdings launched a fresh offer for fellow Irish carrier Aer Lingus, which was rejected by the Aer Lingus board.
The Air France-KLM combine have shown the aviation industry how to combine functions while maintaining separate brands.
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As per a press release Air France and KLM will operate "rescue" flights to Phuket on 1 and 2 December from Amsterdam and Paris-CDG respectively.
Due to the closure of Bankok's Suvarnabhumi international airport, Air France and KLM will operate one flight on 1st December and one flight on 2 December 2008 from Phuket Airport.
Departure from Phuket on 1 December:
Boeing 747-400 flight operated by KLM to Amsterdam
Departure from Phuket: 7pm
Arrival in Amsterdam: 4am on the next day.
Departure from Phuket on 2 December:
Boeing 747-400 flight operated by Air France to Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Departure from Phuket: 11:30pm on 2 December.
Arrival in Paris: 5:50am on the next day.
All passengers holding an Air France or KLM ticket may take one or other flight. For passengers booked on one of these flights, Air France and KLM will arrange for a bus transfer from Bangkok to Phuket (please contact Air France/KLM Agency in Bangkok).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
- IN THAILAND: CONTACT THE AIR FRANCE/KLM AGENCY IN BANGKOK: Vorawat Building 20th floor 849 Silom Road or the Call Center: 66 (0)2635 11 91
- IN FRANCE: 3654
LOG ON TO THE AIRFRANCE WEBSITE
Air France is keeping a close watch on the situation and will keep customers informed of any changes to the flight schedule in the next few days.
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As per media reports, a group of about 20 airline crew members, have been evacuated from Mumbai's Oberoi hotel. Most of the rescued airline staff were in Lufthansa and Air France uniforms.
A bus immediately whisked the guests away from the hotel. One crew member in a Lufthansa uniform who wore a name tag identifying her as L. Laurence said things inside the hotel "were definitely not good." and "We're just very glad we're out."
About two dozen people had been evacuated from the hotel earlier Friday, after the elite NSG "Black Cats" commandos stormed the hotel to rescue guests and hostages from the clutches of Islamic militants.
About 125 people have lost their lives, and 327 injured till now.
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