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Air France-KLM Plans Seats Splurge as Discount Rivals Circle

  • Europe’s biggest carrier announces major hike in capacity
  • Cost cuts to be deepened after falling short last year
CFO Frederic Gagey discusses the airline’s performance and expansion plans.(Source: Bloomberg)
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Air France-KLM Group said it will accelerate capacity increases despite an uncertain economic climate in order to defend its share of an air-travel market that’s becoming flooded with discount rivals.

The Paris-based carrier will boost seating by up to 4 percent this year in a bid to combat the low-cost challenge, even as fuel expenses jump by a forecast 150 million euros ($188 million), it said in a statementBloomberg Terminal Friday. The stock declined as much as 7.5 percent to the lowest in eight months.