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WestJet, Air France and KLM Announce Signing of Memorandum of Understanding

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

February 4, 2009

thomas

CALGARY, PARIS, and AMSTERDAM, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – WestJet, Air France and KLM today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new commercial relationship between the three airlines.

This memorandum of understanding allows the airlines to begin working on building a code-sharing agreement in late 2009 or early 2010. Prior to this, the carriers will contemplate additional opportunities including an interline agreement, namely acceptance of each other’s e-tickets, and through check-in of baggage and passengers, technology permitting. Possibilities for future frequent flyer program cooperation will be explored as well.

A code-sharing agreement would involve the Canadian gateways of Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver where guests of the three airlines would connect with each other’s networks.

This memorandum of understanding is another step in WestJet’s strategy to increase connectivity, bringing additional travellers to its network as well as offering more access for its guests to new destinations.

Dr. Hugh Dunleavy, Executive Vice President, Commercial Distribution, commented, “We are very pleased with this announcement today. This memorandum of understanding marks the successful execution of the next step in our strategic plan. We are proud to have strategic partners in Air France and KLM who share our values and our focus on the guest. They will be excellent partners and will provide our guests with the opportunity to seamlessly travel across their networks.”

For Air France and KLM, it is a great opportunity to strengthen their position in services to Canada and increase the number of destinations offered to passengers.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada’s leading high-value low-cost airline offering scheduled service throughout its 55-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 76 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 45 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 121 by 2013, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.

About Air France and KLM:

The business combination agreement concluded in September 2003 between Air France and KLM gave rise to Europe’s number one air transport group in May 2004, based on a holding company and two airlines with their own brands and identity and three core businesses. The combination of Air France and KLM creates a unique global network, based on the hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. The Group represents 75 million passengers, 248 destinations worldwide and a fleet of 620 aircraft. This reflects its newfound position as the global market leader in terms of revenues, with a total revenue of 24,1 billion euros in 2007/2008.

As from May 2009, Air France will increase to 4 the number of daily frequencies between Paris and Montreal, and KLM will launch a new Amsterdam-Calgary route with 5 flights a week. At this time, Air France and KLM will operate a total of 67 weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle/ Amsterdam-Schiphol and Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

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