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Delta, Air France KLM and Alitalia to reduce Trans-Atlantic capacity in Fall 2011

Direct News Source

19-May-2011 The members of the leading trans-Atlantic joint venture – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), Air France KLM (OTC: AFLYY) and Alitalia – today announced a year-over-year 7 to 9 percent reduction in trans-Atlantic passenger capacity this fall between Europe and the United States and Canada, as the airlines respond to a significant increase in jet fuel prices and fluctuating seasonal demand. 

"Our alliance allows us to make strategic decisions about our network and operate as a single airline on trans-Atlantic flights," said Bruno Matheu, executive vice president - Marketing, Revenue Management and Network for Air France KLM. "Combining our efforts, we are able to leverage the benefits of the joint venture to respond to economic and external cost pressures."

The four member airlines will adjust their combined network and decrease capacity by reducing frequency on selected routes during the fall and winter seasons and right-sizing the joint venture fleet across the Atlantic while introducing seasonal flying to warm weather destinations.

"With the most established joint venture across the Atlantic, we are in a unique position to collaborate with our JV partners to make full use of our combined fleet and networks to generate healthy returns and consistently serve our customers," said Perry Cantarutti, Delta's senior vice president - Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Since its inception, the joint venture has made significant progress in building a leading trans-Atlantic alliance. Its achievements include the introduction of more than 5,000 joint sales contracts for trade and corporate partners across Europe and the U.S., and the formation of joint pricing and revenue management units, which strengthen its competitive position on the trans-Atlantic. The alliance also has consolidated reservation sales responsibilities in Europe and the U.S., co-located commercial and operating teams and airport facilities, unified signage in more than 400 airports and combined marketing and advertising.