Highlights of 2012

Implementation of the Transform 2015 plan

On January 12, 2012, Air France-KLM presented the targets and measures of Transform 2015, its three-year transformation plan aimed at a €2 billion reduction in net debt, a downwards revision in investment, strictly limited capacity growth and a 10% unit cost reduction between the end of 2011 and the end of 2014.

Over the summer, Air France finalized new collective agreements with ground staff and flight deck crew. On the other hand, the draft agreement for cabin crew was rejected by the unions. Renewed discussions did enable the signature of a pre-agreement in February 2013. For its part, in December, KLM signed new collective labor agreements for a three year period. These new agreements aim to reduce payroll expenses and achieve a significant improvement in productivity by the end of 2014 relative to the end of 2011.

During 2012, SkyTeam benefited from the arrival of four new members, increasing the number of airlines to nineteen. The membership of two Middle Eastern airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Middle-East Airlines-Air Liban, a South-American carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas and a Chinese carrier, Xiamen Airlines, extended the reach of the alliance network to more than 1,000 destinations world-wide.
In October, Air France, KLM and Etihad Airways signed a first cooperation agreement, that was extended later.
At the end of the year, the joint-venture agreement with Delta was renewed for 10 years.

In 2012, the Group launched an investment plan of some €500 million by 2015 covering product improvements. The renewal of the Business and La Première classes, improving the quality of catering, the development of e-services and the new fare offers are all examples of innovation aimed at increasing levels of customer satisfaction.

The opening of a new boarding satellite at Roissy’s terminal 2E enabled Air France to streamline its operations.

The Air France-KLM group’s maintenance business inaugurated a new engine test bench at Paris CDG, a €43 million investment.

In June, KLM operated its first commercial trans-Atlantic flight linking Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in the Boeing B777-200 using biofuel made from recycled cooking oil.
In September 2012, the Air France-KLM group was confirmed sustainability leader of the airline sector for 2012 and remained a component of the two Dow Jones Sustainability Indices – DJSI World and DJSI Europe – for the eighth consecutive year.