Air France-KLM has bought a 31 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic in a move which will see closer cooperation not only between the airlines but also with Delta.
The details of the deal are
- Air France-KLM will acquire a 31 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic currently held by Virgin Group for £220 million
- Virgin Group will retain a 20 percent stake and Chairmanship
- Delta will retain its 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic
- Delta will acquire a 10 percent stake in Air France-KLM for Euro375 million and will join its board of directors.
- China Eastern will acquire a 10 percent stake in Air France-KLM for Euro375 million and will also join its board of directors.
Additionally, Delta, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic will launch a combined long-term joint venture.
Virgin Atlantic will retain its independence as a UK airline with a UK operating certificate, and will continue to fly under the Virgin brand. It says that the airline will remain European after the transaction and pointed out that since it does not fly into Europe from the UK, it does not believe it would be affected in the event of a “hard” Brexit.
The move means Sir Richard Branson giving up control of Virgin Atlantic, the airline he founded in 1984. In a letter to staff he blamed Brexit
but also pointed out that working more closely with Delta would help Virgin compete.
Delta says that the expanded joint venture, including Alitalia, will offer nearly 300 daily nonstop trans-Atlantic flights. Passengers will also be able to earn and redeem miles across all the carriers.
Delta’s existing joint venture with Air France-KLM dates back to 2009 with the addition of Alitalia in 2010. In 2013, Delta made a 49 percent investment in, and joint venture with, Virgin Atlantic.
In 2015, Delta entered into an enhanced marketing agreement with, and acquired a 3.5 percent stake in, its SkyTeam partner China Eastern.
