Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Air France KLM”s chairman and ceo, said the airline was aiming for ”1bn operating income for the financial year despite high oil prices.
The airline chief was speaking at UBS”s 2008 Travel Conference in London yesterday (September 15).
He said he was confident ”in the group”s ability to emerge stronger from the crisis brought about by the slowdown in economic growth and steep rise in oil prices.”
He also emphasised ”the importance for the group of adapting to this environment.”
But while their oil hedging policies were among the best, Mr Spinetta said they would decline in efficiency.
The group hoped its ”Challenge 10” plan will see it through the rise in oil prices which have devastated other carriers, he said.
The plan outlines ”structural cost-savings” which can be made by both Air France and KLM.
Visit www.airfrance.com and www.klm.com.
Andrew Gough
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