KLM Royal Dutch Airlines CEO Peter Hartman says the airline will not give up its brand to merge with Air France and indicates Alitalia may soon join Air France-KLM.Hartman, who will become Chairman of the Board of Governors for airline industry association IATA this year, made the comments in an exclusive interview with the Holland Herald, a magazine which KLM provides to its passengers during flights. Several subjects were discussed, including the financial crisis and security concerns.
The airline, which reported an 18.6 percent rise in revenues in the second quarter, merged with Air France in 2004 to create Air France-KLM. Both airlines, however, have retained their brands and Hartman does not expect this to change.
