Air France-KLM : financial information of Air France-KLM group > Profile > Activities > Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Passenger transport is Air France-KLM's main activity. The Group leverages a unique combination of strengths, an innovative commercial strategy and a high degree of responsiveness to reinforce its leadership position in passenger transport.
A powerful network with an adapted offer
In the current environment, the Group is implementing a strategy based on a targeted reduction in capacity aimed at maintaining maximum efficiency. As of the summer of 2008, the Group started to moderate its growth then to gradually adjust its capacity to demand. In fifteen months, capacity planned for the Summer 2009 season has moved from growth of 5% to a 4.5% reduction.
The first airline network linking Europe to the rest of the world
The leading airline operator in Europe
The Group offers the greatest number of connecting opportunities at the coordinated hubs of Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Its companies and subsidiaries operate more than 2,500 daily flights to 258 destinations in 103 countries, including 42 destinations for which it is the only carrier out of Europe.
A balanced customer base
74.5 million passengers chose one of the Group's airlines for their business or leisure travel in 2008-09. The Group benefits from a customer base that is evenly balanced between travel for professional and personal purposes. 44% of passengers take a direct flight and 56% a connecting flight.
The predominance of the long-haul network
With 80% of overall traffic, the long-haul network operated by the companies Air France and KLM confirms the activity's international dimension. The medium-haul network which represents 20% of traffic is also operated by the Group's regional subsidiaries: BritAir, Regional, CityJet, Cityhopper and VLM.
Strategic alliances ensuring a presence in all markets
International alliances and local partnerships
Air France-KLM pursues a policy of strategic alliances in order to bolster its presence in all the air transport growth markets. The Group notably plays a lead role within the international airline alliance SkyTeam, which regroups 14 member and associate airlines, and develops local partnerships, for example with JAL in Japan and Qantas in Australia.
Strengthening the North American positioning
The Air France-KLM Group and Delta Air Lines signed a joint venture agreement on 20th May 2009, whereby the partners will jointly operate their trans-Atlantic business by coordinating operations and sharing revenues and costs of their trans-Atlantic route network. The airlines will cooperate on routes between North America and Africa, the Middle East and India, as well as on flights between Europe and several countries in Latin America. This joint-venture will be launched on 1st April 2010.
Air France-KLM is also bolstering its position in Canada through a commercial agreement signed with WestJet, enabling it to benefit from the domestic network of its new Canadian partner.
The leading coordinated network in northern and southern Europe
The partnership agreements and Air France-KLM's 25% shareholding in Alitalia, acquired in January 2009, are aimed at strengthening the Group's presence in Italy, the fourth largest air transport market in Europe. Air France-KLM and Alitalia plan significant synergies linked to their technical and commercial cooperation that will enable them to benefit from the most powerful coordinated airline network around a unique combination of hubs in northern and southern Europe.
Ongoing innovation in passenger service
Enhancing the travel experience on the ground and in the air
Air France-KLM pursues an approach based on research and marketing and commercial innovation in order to offer products and services tailored to the needs of all its customers. Passengers thus benefit from the facilities offered by e-services and the advantages of the Flying Blue frequent flyer program. The ongoing improvement in cabin services is directed at offering passengers a greater level of comfort and state-of-the-art flight entertainment.
A responsible commercial policy
Paper usage has been reduced thanks to the development of e-services, with baggage tags and loyalty cards being gradually replaced by new biodegradable versions. A program to offset CO2 emissions has also been established in partnership with the WWF and Goodplanet.
