Middle East, India key strategic markets for Air France-KLM

The Middle East remains a key market for Air France-KLM, and the European carrier is taking steps to expand capacity here.

“Overall, the aviation sector in UAE is experiencing growth. For Air France and KLM, we’ve good load factors and positive trends, which has enabled us to increase capacity in Dubai, with the deployment of the Boeing 777s. There are opportunities for further expansion in the region, our willingness to add more capacity from Dubai is strong, however, we are currently facing constraints, as the slots are limited,” Stefan Gumuseli, Air France-KLM’s general manager for India and the Middle East, told Khaleej Times in an interview.

Currently, Air France and KLM serve eight cities across Middle East and India, operating 89 weekly flights. “In the Middle East, our network includes Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh and In India, we operate from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai and soon Hyderabad. Air France and KLM offer seamless connections for both business and leisure travelers, with smooth access for our customers from Middle East and India to over 300 destinations worldwide through our hubs in Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris, Charles de Gaulle,” Gumuseli said.

The Middle East is witnessing a positive growth in aviation, further accelerated by ambitious initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to position the region as a key global hub. “Our operations are well-structured to meet this growing demand,” Gumuseli said.

In the region, the airline group is expanding its network in the Middle East and India. “In the Middle East, our codeshare partnership with Saudia significantly enhances connectivity between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia. This partnership was further strengthened through a strategic MoU last year, which aims to further improve connectivity between Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh) Paris, Amsterdam & beyond. In return, Air France and KLM will also gain access to Saudia’s extensive network, offering passengers more travel options,” Gumuseli said.

In India, the group has a successful codeshare partnership with IndiGo. With this partnership, Air France and KLM customers have access to over 30 destinations in India. This partnership opens the opportunity for IndiGo customers to connect to the vast global network of Air France and KLM,” Gumuseli said.

Fleet renewal is one of the key aspects of Air France-KLM’s strategy. The group has been investing 2 billion euros per year in the renewal of its fleet. In September 2023, the group placed an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 40. These aircraft, comprising both A350-900 and A350-1000 models, are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2030. This move aims to replace previous generation aircraft i.e. Airbus A330s and older Boeing 777s, positioning the Ar France-KLM as the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A350 family. “The A350’s advanced technology offers 25 per cent better fuel efficiency and a 40 per cent reduction in noise compared to previous generations, aligning with our sustainability goals. By 2030, the share of new generation aircraft in the Group’s fleet is expected to reach 80 per cent,” Gumuseli said.

Stefan Gumuseli GM IME Air France KLM

The Middle East is a strategically important region for the Air France-KLM Group. It serves as a key hub for both passenger and cargo operations.

Air France and KLM share a rich history with the UAE, having operated in the region for over 50 years. “Over the years, we’ve seen increased demand, which has led us to increase our capacity, including the deployment of the Boeing 777 to Dubai. This allows us to meet the growing needs of both leisure and business travellers,” Gumuseli said.

One of the highlights for the Dubai market is the Air France La Première cabin, available on only 10 destinations worldwide, with Dubai being one of these exclusive locations. “Our presence in the region is strong, with services connecting major cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, Beirut and Cairo to our European hubs in Paris and Amsterdam. We are continuously enhancing our footprint in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where we have recently launched a new direct service between Riyadh and Paris-Charles de Gaulle from May 20. Air France will operates  five weekly flights. Riyadh and Dammam are already being served by KLM. With the launch of Air France operations, our customers can experience the best of both brands. Transavia, the subsidiary of Air France – KLM also has a prominent position in the region. Transavia  connects customers from many cities in the region including Beirut, Cairo, Jeddah and soon the holy city of Madinah, Gumuseli said.