Bangkok--14 Nov--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation notes Europe’s biggest carrier, Air France-KLM, is poised to place a joint order for widebody aircraft (B787s or A350s) by early 2008, as a next step in their integration since the 2004 merger.
According to the Centre's Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison, "joint aircraft purchases had been identified as a possible cost reduction strategy for the global alliances in the past, but differences over configurations and service standards, as well as the highly confidential nature of aircraft negotiations have precluded any movement in this area by the major groupings".
The Air France-KLM linkage is leading strategic development in many areas, demonstrating the power of equity alliances in achieving “bigger picture” change. Cross border JVs have had a major impact on aviation development in Asia, while the Air China-Cathay Pacific linkage promises to deliver a wide range of initiatives.
"Like Air France-KLM, joint aircraft purchases could come into the frame for the rapidly expanding Hong Kong-Mainland China partnership in years to come, although convergence in service standards and product would dictate the pace of such a development," stated Mr Harbison.