Airlines’ Joint Venture Aims for Seamless Travel Between Europe and China

Photo source: KLM

Customers of Air France, KLM, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines will now have a wider range of destinations to choose from and attractive transfer times, as the four airlines announced the merger of their existing joint venture agreements.

Photo source: KLM

According to an announcement, the aim is to create even stronger links between the partners and offer customers smoother, seamless travel solutions.

By connecting the four airlines’ networks, the joint venture offers customers a wide choice of destinations connecting Europe (Paris and Amsterdam) to China (Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Xiamen). Transfer and connection times are also optimized.

A global joint venture between Europe and China

Air France-KLM

Since 2006, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and China Southern Airlines have been operating a joint venture on the Amsterdam-Beijing service. In 2015, Xiamen Airlines joined this joint venture on the Amsterdam-Xiamen route. In 2010, Air France formed a partnership with China Southern Airlines to also create a joint venture on the Paris-Guangzhou route.

“These agreements are currently combined to form a single joint venture between Europe and China,” an announcement by Air France-KLM said.

China Southern Airlines

This extended joint venture marks an important step for Air France-KLM. Moreover, it contributes to strengthening the two airlines’ position on the Chinese air transport market, which continues to grow. Every year, the four airlines – Air France, KLM, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines – carry some 1,250,000 passengers between Europe and China on their joint-operated routes.

Air France-KLM customers can also earn Flying Blue Miles on all flights operated within this joint venture formed by the four airlines.

Xiamen Airlines

Beyond the joint venture, the airlines closely cooperate in other areas, notably in airport handling, catering and aircraft maintenance services.