Air France-KLM, Delta Tie-up To Reap $12B Annually

GREG KELLER

Delta Air Lines Inc., Air France and KLM signed a deal Wednesday to combine two separate joint venture agreements into one to create a trans-Atlantic powerhouse that's expected to generate $12 billion in annual revenue, provide better travel options for customers and more closely align the carriers' operations without a formal merger.

Passengers get more nonstop flights between major cities in the U.S. and Europe, while competition and the weak global economy will likely mean fares won't be affected too much.

The airlines aren't merging, and no subsidiary will be created, but airline consultant Darryl Jenkins said the equal sharing of revenue and costs regardless of who is flying the plane means the carriers will essentially act as one airline on certain routes. ...