Transatlantic flight capacity is being trimmed by up to 9% from the autumn by partners Delta Air Lines, Air France KLM and Alitalia.
The joint venture carriers blamed “a significant increase in jet fuel prices and fluctuating seasonal demand” for the cuts of between 7%-9%. They will adjust their combined network by reducing frequency on selected routes during the autumn and winter.
The carriers will “right-size” the joint venture fleet across the Atlantic while introducing seasonal flying to warm weather destinations. The joint venture operates more than 260 daily flights to and from Europe and the US and Canada using a fleet of 144 aircraft based on seven main hubs including Amsterdam, Paris and Rome.
Air France KLM marketing, revenue management and network executive vice-president Bruno Matheu said: “Our alliance allows us to make strategic decisions about our network and operate as a single airline on transatlantic flights.
“Combining our efforts, we are able to leverage the benefits of the joint venture to respond to economic and external cost pressures.”