Air France and KLM said the merger between the two carriers will bring them savings of €92m in four years through a co-ordinated sales strategy.
The implementation of this strategy on the international market had already saved the two carriers €8.3m in 2004-2005 and will also save it €29m this financial year to 2006.
The €92m savings on sales would be part of the estimated €580m total synergy the airlines expect to make in four years through the merger.
Patrick Alexandre, Air France's executive vp of international commercial affairs and operations, told a press conference at Roissy airport that sales on the international market accounted for 58% of the two airlines' total passenger revenue.
“In this respect, the implementation of a coordinated sales strategy on international routes is one of the group's major challenges. The aim is to expand the presence of both airlines, while capitalising on their respective assets, in order to offer customers a global, streamlined product,” he said.
Paul Gregorowitsch, KLM's executive vp commercial, said both airlines were determined to co-ordinate their “different but highly complementary sales policies.” This included including the joint rental of offices and re-negotiating station handling services.
The local sales network has also been re-organised into “co-ordinated markets” served by both airlines, “complementary markets” served by just one of the airlines and a few markets where there is a greater integration of sales forces led by a regional manager.
* Air France KLM has announced a further increase in its fuel surcharges. Air France is to increase the charge only for tickets issued in the French market by €1 for short haul, €2 for medium haul and €8 for long haul from April 20. KLM said its surcharge would rise by €3 on European flights and €6 on long haul from April 15. The airlines said the surcharge would remain in place until the price of oil had dropped to $45 a barrel for 30 consecutive days.