Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines e Virgin Atlantic firmano l’accordo per la partnership transatlantica

Con un comunicato stampa del 15 maggio le compagnie aeree Air France-KLM, Delta e Virgin Atlantic hanno reso noto la firma della nuova joint venture transatlantica.

Nel comunicato si legge ….

PARIS, ATLANTA and LONDON, May 15, 2018 – Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Limited have today signed definitive agreements paving the way forward for their expanded trans-Atlantic joint venture:

• The Joint Venture Agreement signed between Air France-KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic sets out the governance as well as the commercial and operational terms of the expanded trans-Atlantic Joint Venture.
• Upon completion, Air France-KLM will acquire a 31 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic currently held by Virgin Group for £220 million.
• Virgin Group will retain a 20 per cent stake and Chairmanship of Virgin Atlantic.
• Delta will retain its 49 per cent stake.

Air France-KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic will now coordinate efforts to secure the appropriate regulatory approvals.

The airlines’ expanded joint venture will become the preferred choice for customers travelling across the Atlantic offering the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Customers will also benefit from the co-location of facilities at key hub airports to improve connectivity and access to each carrier’s airport lounges for premium passengers.

The signed agreements are all subject to regulatory approvals. ……

Il comunicato stesso continua poi con alcune informazioni sulle singole compagnie aeree (AriFrance-KLM, Delta e Virgin Atlantic)

Non si sa quali siano le tempistiche, se il patto è già operativo e se è prevista una “scadenza”.

Una cosa però mi sembra strana: che fine ha fatto Alitalia? Nel 2010 Alitalia era entrata nella joint venture transatlantica con Delta e AirFrance-KLM, accordo che doveva essere valido almeno fino al 31 marzo 2022.