On Thursday, Air France - KLM's senior executives presented the airline group's annual results, marked by a return to profit. Net income (€118 million) is benefiting from a relatively favourable environment, due in particular to the fall in oil prices. Air France will therefore be investing sparingly, and in particular will be offering Wi-Fi on its long-haul network in 2017.
Admittedly, the fall in fuel costs is no stranger to the results presented on Thursday by Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the Air France KLM group. Yes, exchange rates may have contributed - albeit partially - to boosting some of the figures unveiled to the international press. Nonetheless: for the first time in many years, the airline group's directors this week had in their hands a positive balance sheet, marked by a sales of 26.1 billion eurosup 4.6%, operating profit of 816 million and - therefore - a 118 million net profit. The " capacity discipline "This is despite the impact of events such as the Paris attacks, estimated at 120 million euros by the airline group.
But that's not enough to keep Air France KLM's managers happy, as they are aware, as Mr Riolacci is, that this environment " more favourable "home very uncertain "and that the group operates in a " market under pressure ". " Our relative position compared with our competitors has not changed, however, and justifies the additional efforts we are asking our employees to make to close the gap that separates us from the other companies. In other words, Air France and KLM will be able to reduce their costs", says Alexandre de Juniac, who insists on the need to deduct costs. The one that separated Air France from KLM seems to have been largely reduced, enabling the group to "walk on two legs "according to Mr Riolacci, since " the two companies contributed equally "I'd like to add a few words of praise to this good 2015 result.
True to its golden rule, " not to invest one euro more than we generate in terms of cash flow "However, the Air France KLM Group is expected to equip its long-haul fleet with Wi-Fi connectivityin 2017. A somewhat belated move, which the group's management explains both by the system unreliability and the lack of passenger appetite for this type of service. " Half of our passengers asked us not to install in-flight Wi-Fi, as they appreciated this rare moment of disconnection. "explains Alexandre de Juniac, aware nonetheless that " it's the direction of history "This is particularly true for business travellers and young passengers. As far as partnerships are concerned, there is nothing very new: Air France KLM's senior management have reaffirmed their desire totaking collaboration with Etihad a step furtherand believe that a possible "break-up" with Alitalia would be ". a bad idea "for both parties. " We want to maintain the joint ventures between Air France and KLM with Alitalia, but if it doesn't want to, we're not going to force it. "simply sums up Alexandre de Juniac.
