Air France-KLM plans to scale back its short- and medium-haul flight schedules during the final months of the year due to rising fuel expenses. The airline group announced the decision alongside its latest quarterly financial results.
Higher jet fuel costs have made European routes particularly challenging to manage. Airlines across the region are often unable to raise ticket prices enough to fully offset the increased fuel expenses.
Impact on flight schedules
The reductions will primarily affect European routes operated multiple times per day. KLM stated that the majority of the planned cancellations will come from Air France rather than its Dutch operations.
For its part, KLM plans to make minor adjustments to its timetable between October and December. The carrier described these seasonal trim-backs as routine procedures during slower travel months.
Even with these upcoming reductions, KLM expects to maintain a higher overall operational capacity than it did during the same period last year.
Shift in capacity forecasts
Air France-KLM has adjusted its broader outlook for European operations, now expecting short- and medium-haul capacity to drop by 1 percent compared to last year. The group had previously projected that capacity would remain flat.
Growth expectations for low-cost subsidiary Transavia have also been revised downward. The budget carrier now expects annual capacity to grow by 8 percent, compared to an earlier forecast of up to 10 percent.
Across all airlines in the group, total capacity growth is now projected at 2 to 3 percent for the year.
Current passenger demand
Booking figures for the group’s main airlines are currently running slightly behind last year’s pace. Industry analysts note that passengers are increasingly waiting longer before booking their flights.
In contrast, demand for Transavia remains steady across southern European destinations. Mediterranean routes, particularly to Spain, continue to see strong interest despite recent wildfire disruptions in certain areas.
