Articles tagged “air france-klm”

Under newish CEO Ben Smith, Air France-KLM has improved its relationship with its unions. This new agreement will make it much easier for its French unit in particular to compete with low-cost rivals.

It's never dull in the airline industry, and the first half of 2019 has been no exception. We were hard-pressed to single out the most interesting region. But the industry in Europe had the wildest ride in the first half, with high-profile bankruptcies, a few strikes, impending acquisitions, changing business models, and the perennial Alitalia saga.

Insiders sometimes privately ask if Ben Smith will be a short-timer at Air France-KLM. He is trying to bring big change to a company plagued by inertia. But change is happening. Let's see if Smith will have traction.

Like a similar program now in place between American and Hyatt, the partnership between Accor and Air France-KLM aims to share customers between similar target markets. Unlike its American cousin though, this partnership is open to all loyalty tiers.

The Air France-KLM merger has been a textbook example of how hard it is to meld corporate cultures. But CEO Ben Smith isn't letting that deter him from taking a look at new acquisitions. Too soon?

European governments once believed they could rely on the market to ensure their links to the outside world. But many are starting to become more protective of their national airlines. In many ways, it is a return to the past.

It looks like Ryanair is preparing itself for a major shakeup of the European airline industry. We've heard it talk about struggling competition before, but things are getting much tougher out there.

Competition is tough in Europe at the moment and Air France-KLM's losses don't look good. But it's traditionally a weak quarter for airlines so things should get better during spring and summer.

KLM CEO Pieter Elbers has done a fine job with his airline. It is a good thing he is staying put. But how will he work with group CEO Ben Smith? We'll find out.

Ben Smith is talking the talk right now, but unlike his predecessors who disappointed: Will he be able to walk the walk?