Last month Air France-KLM (AF-KLM) entered into a code share pact with Jet Airways. The alliance is important for the two European carriers which have fewer destinations in India than rivals British Airways and Lufthansa. AF-KLM are lead members of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance. The capacity offered by SkyTeam members to/from India is far lower than other alliances like oneworld and Star Alliance. Yeshwant Pawar, Air France-KLM's general manager (South Asia) responded to wide ranging questions on this in an email interview.
The code share gives AF-KLM new points including Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore (for KLM). How important are these markets for AF-KLM?
India is a very important and strategic market for Air France - KLM. The codeshare agreement with Jet Airways helps us to connect with the important cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata for Air France and Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai for KLM. This will offer our esteemed customers seamless connections to these cities where we do not have an online presence. The decision was taken keeping in mind the needs of our existing customers from these cities.
Does AF-KLM interline (ticketing agreement) both with Air India and Jet Airways in India?
AF-KLM has an interline agreement with both Air India and Jet Airways.
How significant will this code share alliance be in expanding AF-KLM's capacity and market share to/from India?
We expect an increase in traffic to/from these destinations. The codeshare agreement is a first step in the right direction. This agreement is between AF-KLM and Jet Airways and not with SkyTeam.
Which are the most popular sixth freedom traffic destinations for AF-KLM (ex-India) and what is percent of sixth freedom traffic for AF-KLM (ex-India)?
Ex India, the most popular sixth freedom traffic destinations are New York, Atlanta, Barcelona and London.
Does AF-KLM have plans to increase capacity to India (add services or introduce new routes)?
For the moment our focus is to consolidate our position with the 27 operating flights of AF-KL per week strategy.
What has been the growth in passenger, revenue and yield for AF-KLM from Indian market?
We can only say we are happy with the trend as so far it has been positive.
Is this code share arrangement with Jet Airways an indication to the airline's membership in SkyTeam?
Not at all.
The code share gives AF-KLM new points including Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore (for KLM). How important are these markets for AF-KLM?
India is a very important and strategic market for Air France - KLM. The codeshare agreement with Jet Airways helps us to connect with the important cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata for Air France and Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai for KLM. This will offer our esteemed customers seamless connections to these cities where we do not have an online presence. The decision was taken keeping in mind the needs of our existing customers from these cities.
Does AF-KLM interline (ticketing agreement) both with Air India and Jet Airways in India?
AF-KLM has an interline agreement with both Air India and Jet Airways.
How significant will this code share alliance be in expanding AF-KLM's capacity and market share to/from India?
We expect an increase in traffic to/from these destinations. The codeshare agreement is a first step in the right direction. This agreement is between AF-KLM and Jet Airways and not with SkyTeam.
Which are the most popular sixth freedom traffic destinations for AF-KLM (ex-India) and what is percent of sixth freedom traffic for AF-KLM (ex-India)?
Ex India, the most popular sixth freedom traffic destinations are New York, Atlanta, Barcelona and London.
Does AF-KLM have plans to increase capacity to India (add services or introduce new routes)?
For the moment our focus is to consolidate our position with the 27 operating flights of AF-KL per week strategy.
What has been the growth in passenger, revenue and yield for AF-KLM from Indian market?
We can only say we are happy with the trend as so far it has been positive.
Is this code share arrangement with Jet Airways an indication to the airline's membership in SkyTeam?
Not at all.