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Tag: KLM

  • Air France-KLM more than doubles profits in 2018 despite strikes

    Air France-KLM more than doubles profits in 2018 despite strikes

    Air France-KLM, which was badly hit last year by strikes and management upheaval, reported on Wednesday that its annual net profits rose by 150% to 409 million euros (US$463 million). “The strong performance of our front-line teams and continued cost control helped partly offset the impact of strikes at Air France in the first half of the year, as well as significant fuel headwinds,“ Benjamin Smith, the company’s new chief executive, said in a statement.

    The Canadian businessman took over in September following Jean-Marc Janaillac’s sudden exit in a bitter dispute over salaries in the group’s French wing.

    Fifteen days of strike cost the company 335 million euros, Air France said.

    On Tuesday, Air France pilots voted by 85% in favour of a new pay deal, concluding a series of long employee-management negotiations.

    Revenue growth last year was up in all business segments, with operating earnings coming in at of 1.3 billion euros, the Franco-Dutch airline group reported.

    The group said it had carried more than 100 million passengers last year, making it the leading European airline for long-haul traffic.

    Transavia, a low-coast subsidiary, carried 15.8 million passengers last year, an increase of 7.1% on 2017.

    Full year 2018 capacity increased by 2.1%, mainly driven by the South American, North Atlantic and Asian networks, with respective growth of 8.6%, 3.0% and 2.1%, Air France-KLM said.

    In 2019, the group will concentrate on “operational efficiency”, financial director Frederic Gagey said.

    “We can make a lot more money compared to last year,“ he said, adding that Air France-KLM would also be looking to renewing its fleet to replace some of its more fuel-guzzling planes.

  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines moves to Terminal 3 in Jakarta

    KLM Royal Dutch Airlines moves to Terminal 3 in Jakarta

    KLM’s Country Manager for Indonesia, Wouter Alders said that the move to terminal 3 will enhance the experience for KLM customers travelling on its daily flight from Jakarta to Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur.  He said, “KLM has been looking forward to relocate to terminal 3 to respond to customer demands for a more efficient and personal travel experience. We are confident this vast new terminal will offer a better experience and additionally provide KLM passengers with easier flight connections within Indonesia.”  

    KLM passengers travelling from 15th May can check in at Terminal 3 at counter C1-7 and enjoy the new facilities with a more convenient check in, auto-gate immigration and security clearance with body-scanners. Additionally the terminal offers free WiFi, digital banners and e-kiosks way finding system. Business class passengers and Flying Blue members will enjoy the brand new Garuda Executive Lounge located in Terminal 3.

    About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in Indonesia

    KLM’s first flights between Amsterdam and Indonesia started on 1 October, 1924 when KLM initiated its first intercontinental flight from Amsterdam to Jakarta. In September 1929 KLM started regular, scheduled services between Amsterdam and Indonesia. Until the outbreak of the Second World War, this was the world’s longest distance scheduled service.

    KLM offers daily direct flights between Jakarta and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with a stop in Kuala Lumpur and daily flights between Denpasar and Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport with a stop in Singapore.

    KLM Jakarta — Amsterdam
    (Summer schedule — 25 March, 2018 – 28 October, 2018)

    • KL810 departs Jakarta at 18:45 and arrives in Amsterdam at 06:00 the next day
    • KL809 departs Amsterdam at 20:50 and arrives in Jakarta at 17:25 the next day.

    KLM Jakarta — Kuala Lumpur
    (Summer schedule — 25 March, 2018  – 28 October, 2018)

    • KL810 departs Jakarta at 18:45 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 21:55 the next day
    • KL809 departs Kuala Lumpur at 16:20 and arrives in Jakarta at 17:25 the next day.

    KLM Denpasar — Amsterdam
    (Summer schedule — 25 March, 2018 – 28 October, 2018)

    • KL836 departs Denpasar at 20:40 and arrives in Amsterdam at 07:35 the next day
    • KL835 departs Amsterdam at 20:55 and arrives in Denpasar at 19:25 the next day.

    KLM Denpasar — Singapore
    (Summer schedule — 25 March, 2018 – 28 October, 2018)

    • KL836 departs Denpasar at 20:40 and arrives in Singapore at 23:15 the next day
    • KL835 departs Singapore at 16:50 and arrives in Denpasar at 19:25 the next day.

    The daily flights are operated by Boeing B777-300ER aircraft with 34 seats in Business Class and 374 seats in Economy Class.KLM Royal Dutch Airlines moves to Terminal 3 in Jakarta

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  • Malaysia Airlines Extends Cooperation With AFI KLM E&M

    Malaysia Airlines Extends Cooperation With AFI KLM E&M

    Malaysia Airlines has decided to extend its long-running component support contract with AFI KLM E&M covering its fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft. The initial agreement was intended to cover 35 aircraft. The support provided by AFI KLM E&M today covers 54 aircraft and will involve a wider range of Part Numbers (P/N). The Malaysian Carrier has also extended the contract duration for the coming years.

    The component support solutions supplied to Malaysia Airlines are implemented via the Component Services Program (CSP) operated jointly by AFI KLM E&M and Boeing. Services include component repair and access to the local and main AFI KLM E&M spares pools located respectively in Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam.
    The high quality of CSP, which combines the complementary expertise of an Airline MRO and the Airframer, along with the component availability solutions deployed in close proximity to the Malaysia Airlines facilities, have hitherto given the airline complete satisfaction.

    Paul Kear, Technical Director Malaysia Airlines, said: “The support implemented by AFI KLM E&M for our fleet of 737-800s stands out both for its service quality and its responsiveness. The Group has deployed tailored solutions, guaranteeing our operational continuity, so it was a logical decision to extend our cooperation.”

    Ton Dortmans, Executive Vice President KLM E&M, added: “We are delighted to see that Malaysia Airlines has maintained and even extended its trust in AFI KLM E&M services. This testifies to the quality of our services and foregrounds our ability to provide services backed by a global logistics network built around local facilities on our clients’ doorsteps.”

  • Cebu Pacific links up with KLM AFI to service expanding fleet

    Cebu Pacific links up with KLM AFI to service expanding fleet

    Gokongwei-led budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) has chosen Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to provide maintenance support for its expected new fleet of Airbus A320s .

    “This is our first agreement with Cebu Pacific and also our first component support contract in the strategic Philippines market,” said Gery Mortreux, Executive Vice President of AFI KLM E&M in a statement released.

    The selection of AFI KLM E&M came following a call for tenders by CEB in September last year for the carrier’s expanding fleet of Airbus passenger jets .

    The long-term contract covers a fleet of over 40 Airbus A320-family aircraft, and encompasses full component support and solutions, including repairs and local pool access to maximize aircraft availability for both CEB’s A320s and its future A321neos.

    The A321 neo (new engine option) is a variant of the A320 that features a more efficient engine and more aerodynamic refinements.

    CEB currently has a fleet of 59 aircraft, comprised of 4 Airbus A319s, 36 Airbus A320s, 7 Airbus A330s, 8 ATR 72-500, and 4 ATR 72-600 aircraft. The average age of its fleet currently stands at 4.94 years.

    The airline also expects to take delivery of 45 brand-new aircraft as part of its fleet renewal program composed of one brand-new Airbus A330, 32 Airbus A321neos, and 12 ATR 72-600s

    All told, the new aircraft will bring the CEB fleet to 85 by 2021.

    CEB’s local rival, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), is also in the process of upgrading its fleet headlined by two new Boeing 777–300ERs set to arrive in December 2017 and January 2018, the airline announced over the weekend.

    Along with that, it is also expecting the arrival of the Q400 Next Generation turboprops for domestic flights starting in July 2017, and the first of 6 new A350-900s expected to arrive in 2018.

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  • Jetstar Pacific to source A320 components from AFI KLM E&M

    Jetstar Pacific to source A320 components from AFI KLM E&M

    Low-cost airline Jetstar Pacific has struck a long-term deal with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) under which the latter will provide component support for Jetstar Pacific’s Airbus A320 aircraft.

    Under the contract, AFI KLM E&M will also provide Jetstar Pacific with repair services and a spares pool to ensure spare parts and necessary materials are ready for maintenance and repair work.

    The deal will take effect this month.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nguyen Quoc Phuong, General Director of Jetstar Pacific, said the cooperation with AFI KLM E&M, a leading partner in the air industry, will bring significant improvements in maintenance costs and duration, thus help the airline create more timely and comfortable flight experience for customers.

    Jetstar Pacific, with two major shareholders of Vietnam Airlines and Qantas of Australia’s Qantas Airway, now has a fleet of 14 Airbus A320 planes, which is expected to increase to 30 by 2021.

    According to Fabrice Defrance, Senior Vice President of AFI KLM E&M, the contract between Jetstar Pacific and AFI KLM E&M marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation between the two sides and affirms the strong presence of the company in Asia.

    AFI KLM E&M has been providing support for nearly 2,000 planes operated by 200 airlines across the world.

  • Tata Comms to provide MPLS WAN for Air France-KLM

    Tata Comms to provide MPLS WAN for Air France-KLM

    Europe’s second largest airline Air France-KLM has handed Tata Communications a multi-million dollar deal to provide next-generation network connectivity to 170 sites.

    Tata Communications will provide Air France-KLM with an MPLS WAN in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, supported by the operator’s global subsea cable network.

    The multi-year contract will see Tata Communications roll out a fast, intelligent network which will power Air France-KLM’s mission-critical systems, including passenger check-in, flight operations and departure control applications, as well as corporate programs in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

    Air France-KLM, which carried 87.4 million passengers in 2014, is the first major European airline group to move away from the legacy networks widely used in the airline industry.

    Tata Communications’ global network – which today connects more than 300 locations for leading airlines worldwide – will enable Air France-KLM to offer a range of digital services in regions that have been identified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as the future growth drivers of the industry.

    Currently eight of the ten fastest growing airline markets are located in Africa. By 2034, IATA expects 1.3 billion passengers to touch China – up from 850 million at present – and India is set to see an additional 260 million passengers. Europe will act as key transfer hub to these emerging markets, with 1.4 billion passenger journeys in 2034 – nearly 600 million more than today.

    “Investing in emerging markets and cutting-edge digital technologies is at the heart of our growth strategy. We’re introducing a range of innovative services, such as travel apps for smartwatches, to provide a seamless, personalized travel experience for our tech-savvy passengers,” Air France-KLM CIO Jean-Christophe Lalanne said.

    “Tata Communications’ global next-generation network will act as the foundation for these services in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, empowering us take customer service to the next level and capitalize on the huge growth opportunities that these markets offer.”

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  • Smartphones outpace tablets in Asian eCommerce

    Smartphones outpace tablets in Asian eCommerce

    For the first time, 34 per cent of browser-based online transactions globally are now made on a mobile device, compared to slightly more than 30 per cent last quarter.

    And smartphones are starting to outpace tablets.

    These were key findings of the fourth quarter edition of the Mobile Payments Index by Global payments technology company Adyen, which tracks mobile payment data from browser-based transactions across its client base and monitors Asian eCommerce shopping patterns.

    It also found that many consumers in Asia are increasingly using mobile devices to shop online. This is being driven particularly by such major payments methods as Alipay, JCB and UnionPay. JCB had the highest share (54 per cent) of mobile payments on the Adjen platform, up from 47 per cent the previous quarter. Alipay increased to 44 per cent (up from 35 per cent) while UnionPay reached 31 per cent (from 23 per cent).

    “The checkout stage of the shopper journey is not the end, but the beginning of an on-going relationship with the consumer,” says Adyen Asia Pacific president Warren Hayashi. “Merchants with a frictionless mobile checkout experience are driving repeat traffic, especially in Asia.”

    For the first time, the index shows that smartphones have overtaken tablets as the preferred device for online shopping – 17.5 per cent on smartphone against 16 per cent on tablet, compared to 14 per cent and 17 per cent respectively the previous quarter.

    When it comes to mobile payments globally, the trend to use smartphones rather than tablets continues for the 10th consecutive quarter. Last quarter this share was up 2 per cent to 68 per cent on smartphone versus 32 per cent on tablet.

    Smartphone use far outweighed tablet in Asia, with 29.5 per cent of online payments on a smartphone compared to 4.5 per cent on a tablet.

    In terms of average transaction value, iPad led the way for the first time at $107, edging out not just smartphones but also desktop/laptop, the traditional leader (at $106). Following were Android tablets at $86, iPhone at $83 then Android smartphones at $73.

    Adyen has been tracking the evolution of mobile payments since June 2013. The index is based on its global browser-based mobile payment transaction data. It does not track in-app mobile payments. With its headquarters in Amsterdam and San Francisco, Adyen serves more than 4500 businesses, customers including Airbnb, Booking.com, Crocs, Dropbox, Facebook, KLM, Mango, Netflix, Spotify and Yelp.

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  • Alibaba goes Dutch

    Alibaba goes Dutch

    Alibaba says new relationships sealed with Dutch organisations in recent days will help continue to lay the groundwork for European expansion of its eCommerce businesses.

    Alibaba Group says it has established several partnerships and collaboration agreements with Dutch organisations including airline KLM and the Dutch Consulate.

    Announced during a visit to Alibaba’s campus in Hangzhou, China, by a delegation of Dutch companies and government officials, the agreements included the launch of a Holland “pavillion” onTmall Global, an Alibaba online marketplace that provides a streamlined sales and logistics channel for overseas companies to sell directly to Chinese consumers.

    Alibaba, which is positioning its shopping websites as a cost-effective gateway to China for foreign brands and merchants, has in recent months established a number of online pavillions showcasing the products of countries such as the US, UK, France and South Korea. Built in partnership with the Dutch Consulate, the Holland pavilion on Tmall Global will feature popular Dutch brands such as Nutrilon, Hero Baby, Philips and Friso, Alibaba said in a statement.

    Meanwhile, Dutch supermarket chains Albert Heijn and Attent have launched new flagship stores on Tmall Global, while Alibaba’s travel website, Alitrip, has announced agreements with KLM and theNetherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions. The latter struck a deal with Alitrip to establish a destination page for Chinese travellers on the website and to “explore new ways of collaboration,” according to Alibaba.

    KLM agreed to launch an Alitrip.com flagship store selling airline tickets and other services to Chinese travellers.

    The visiting Dutch delegation included Dutch King Willem-Alexander, who is touring the PRC as part of an official state visit. Alibaba Group executive chairman Jack Ma, who hosted the delegation with other Alibaba executives, said in a speech that “Holland is a nation that can make impossible possible… Alibaba is also a company that loves to take challenges, loves to innovate, and loves to try new things”.

    “Many people said 16 years ago our dream was impossible, but we have made it a reality today,” Ma said. “Now we have over 120 million people shopping on our marketplaces each day, where they have access to products and fresh produce from far-away countries around the world such as Holland.”

    Alibaba, which dominates China’s eCommerce market, has said that increasing the size of its global e-commerce operations is a key long-term strategy. The company has been beefing up its European ties, this month announcing the expansion of its London office and the establishment of a new office in Milan, with locations in Germany and France to follow. Ma was recently appointed as a business advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

    Alibaba also plans to highlight international eCommerce and cross-border shopping during its upcoming 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, a massive 24-hour sale to be held Nov. 11. More than 80 Dutch brands currently offer products and services on Alibaba’s Tmall and Tmall Global marketplaces, and many will participate in Tmall’s 11.11 festival promotions, the company said.