Air France-KLM, Europe's biggest airline, reportedly plans to transfer its freighter operations to Martinair, its low cost Dutch subsidiary, in the next two years as part of a radical restructuring of its unprofitable cargo business.
The Franco-Dutch carrier will also further cut its freighter fleet before the transfer to Martinair, union officials at Air France said.
At the same time, Air France-KLM will hike its freight rates by between 20 percent and 30 percent in October as it shrinks its capacity for the winter season, Les Echos said. Major shippers have already been informed of the planned increases, it reported.
Les Echos said Air France-KLM intends eventually to reduce its freighter fleet, the largest in Europe, by half.
Air France-KLM, including Martinair, operated 29 freighters at the end of June – 18 747-400s, two 747-200s, two 777s and seven MD-11s.
Air France-KLM reportedly plans to refocus its cargo activities on selling pallet space in the bellies of its passenger aircraft.
The Journal of Commerce Online
Login
.jpg)
