KLM profits drops while merging-fever is going sky high

[sky unlimited]

KLM announced yesterday that its profits over the first half of 2001 has dropped with 56%. KLM also announced that they are still looking for an European airliner to merge with. Probably BA is still in the picture but a short-term merger isn't likely but a merger over a period of 5 years is to be taken serious. Will the NL and UK airliners finally come together in a new European pact together with Malaysian and NWA......?

;) ;) ;)

[Stop Stop Stop]

In short....No. The VNV (the Dutch Pilot's Association) would never allow it. They seem to live in a world not unlike the UK in the 1970's where they hold the company to ransom knowing that the NL government will never allow KLM to go down the tube.

But.... Remember Fokker. Everyone though the government would never let that lot go down the toilet. :eek:

[Long Haul]

The VNV could not stop KLM merging with BA, nor would it want to. A merger would mean increased flying from KLM's Schiphol hub as LHR becomes more congested, and a corresponding increase in work opportunities for it's members. Your suggestion that the VNV holds KLM for ransom is untrue; the VNV routinely approves wet lease and interchange agreements in which total production gain/loss remains neutral, and has in general an excellent relationship (much to the chagrin of some VNV members) with KLM's management. One only has to look at the negotiations over the last contract, which were conducted very quickly, without animosity on either side and resulting in a pay increase just over the rate of inflation, to see my point. As for the government of the Netherlands, they own a minority interest in KLM, and have no influence on operational issues.