Air France KLM and Air Europa have announced plans for a joint venture on routes between Europe and Central and South America.
The two companies currently codeshare on around 40 routes within Europe, mainly between and beyond the respective bases at Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid.
In a statement the carriers said that they were “currently conducting an integral analysis of a deeper and expanded cooperation, aiming at a joint venture agreement between Air France-KLM and Air Europa between Europe and Central/South America to strengthen the joint offer to customers”.
The companies said that the complementary nature of their respective networks to and from Central and South America “will provide significant additional benefits for customers in the form of better connectivity, increased seat availability and a basis to launch new routes and direct flights between the two continents”.
Air France, KLM and Air Europa are all members of the Skyteam airline alliance.
Commenting on the news Frédéric Gagey, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Air France-KLM, said:
“The deepening of our cooperation with Air Europa through a joint venture will provide a strong foundation for us to work even closer together in order to enhance our offer on routes between Europe and Central / South America.
“We are striving to even increase and improve our current leading role on these markets and offer our joint customers more benefits together with our long term partner Air Europa.”
Last year Ryanair announced plans to partner with Air Europa, enabling customers to connect onto long-haul services via Madrid.
