Air France considering partnership Etihad Airways, wants German domestic routes

Air France flights between Paris and Abu Dhabi will become possible if the partnership deal with Etihad Airways is finally sealed.

Air France recently announced it is considering a partnership deal with Etihad Airways, which will also include the German domestic routes of Air Berlin.

Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways currently owns nearly 30 percent of stake in Germany’s second biggest carrier Air Berlin. Etihad Airways is trying hard to get Air Berlin to return to profitability.

Air France-KLM has indicated that Etihad Airways has proposed a partnership on some routes. Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chief Executive of the Franco-Dutch carrier Air France-KLM, said that a partnership with Etihad Airways was possible, but this would make sense on the Paris-Abu Dhabi route and to other hubs. He said that a wider partnership can very much become a possibility only when this included Air Berlin and its network in the German market.

In 2011, Air France-KLM made a net loss of $1.07 million (809 million euros). The airline is currently undertaking a restructuring program, which includes lower aircraft investments and an an overhaul of the European passenger network at its French arm.