Air France-KLM reported a first-quarter loss of €249 million ($283 million) on Wednesday, a significant improvement from the over €500 million loss during the same period last year.
The Franco-Dutch airline group said revenue rose 8% year-on-year to €7.2 billion, driven by strong travel demand and lower fuel prices.
Passenger numbers grew 4.5% to 21.8 million between January and March. CEO Benjamin Smith credited increased summer ticket sales for strengthening the group’s financial position.
Looking ahead, the airline noted a 2.4% drop in bookings from Europe to the U.S. for May and June, while ticket sales from the U.S. to Europe rose 2.1%.
Fuel costs for 2025 are projected at €6.7 billion, down from €7.3 billion in 2024.
The group also cited challenges in 2024, including aircraft shortages, a strong dollar, and reduced travel to Paris ahead of the Olympic Games, which limited its annual net profit to €317 million.