Middle East, India key strategic markets for Air France-KLM

The Middle East remains a key market for Air France-KLM, and the European carrier is taking steps to expand capacity here.

- Somshankar Bandyopadhyay [e-mail]

“Overall, the aviation sector in UAE is experiencing growth. For Air France and KLM, we've good load factors and positive trends, which has enabled us to increase capacity in Dubai, with the deployment of the Boeing 777s. There are opportunities for further expansion in the region, our willingness to add more capacity from Dubai is strong; however, we are currently facing constraints, as the slots are limited,” Stefan Gumuseli, Air France-KLM’s general manager for India and the Middle East, told Khaleej Times in an interview.

Currently, Air France and KLM serve eight cities across Middle East and India, operating 89 weekly flights. “In the Middle East, our network includes Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh and in India, we operate from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai and soon Hyderabad. Air France and KLM offer seamless connections for both business and leisure travelers, with smooth access for our customers from Middle East and India to over 300 destinations worldwide through our hubs in Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris, Charles de Gaulle,” Gumuseli said.