Frogs with clogs
It's difficult to see how the Dutch public would take to Air France replacing KLM out of AMS; despite its financial problems and its association with Northwest, KLM still has a good service reputation and the two airlines have some similarity in their fleets: both are strong GE airlines and have 744s, 777s (KL's on order) and A330s. The major difference is A320s -v- 737s, but KL's 737-8/900 fleet is small and the -3/400s must be due for replacement pretty soon.
An interesting aspect to this will be the extent Basiq Air (operated by Transavia expands) to take over some of KL's short haul flights. While the French govt makes life difficult for low cost carriers, KLM has been badly hit and of course, Easyjet has a pretty big operation there. I wonder if more KL short haul flights will be operated by Transavia/Basiq.
Interesting also to hear reports that AZ now wants in on this marriage . . .