Air France-KLM ended 2025 with the best performance in its history in Brazil, driven by the resumption of international traffic, the recent stability of the real and a growing demand for premium products.
According to Manuel Flahault, the group’s general director for South America, the country has consolidated itself as one of the European holding’s strategic markets and should gain even more relevance in global operations in 2026.
“Brazil experienced an exceptional year for us. Occupancy in premium cabins in 2025 was the highest we have ever had in the country, we saw a very strong response”, stated Flahault during a press conference held this Friday, in São Paulo. “Since 2024, we have seen a more stable real. For a few months now, the currency has remained stable, and this helps predictability, allowing more advance travel,” he added.
The group currently operates up to 56 weekly flights from Brazil, an increase of 44% compared to 2023 – the year used as a comparative basis as it presents a more considerable post-pandemic normalization.
Considering Air France and KLM, there was a 17% increase in the total number of seats, with a 26% increase for Air France and 1% for KLM. The movement reflects Brazilians’ appetite for international travel and also the interest of foreigners in the country: more than 40% of passengers transported by the group in Brazil are “inbound”, that is, arriving in the country from abroad.
“We have a very large movement of European and Asian passengers coming to Brazil, especially in the European winter,” said the executive.
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Premiumization as a growth engine
Air France-KLM has been betting on the expansion and sophistication of its premium products as a lever for global growth, and Brazil is at the center of this strategy. Flahault explains that the movement is not new. “The focus on premium began during the pandemic. The demand for premium is developing in Brazil. Before, this demand was driven by business travel. Today, what is growing is the demand for leisure and in all categories, from premium economy to the most exclusive classes”, he said.
According to him, the strategy represents an adaptation to consumer behavior. “It is a positioning to adapt our supply to the demand we are observing.” Flahault also cited brand consistency as a supporting element: “We are consistent and have legitimacy to speak to this market, thinking about our partners, the quality of our service.”
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In a scenario of fierce competition, including the advancement of traditional rivals on the Europe-Brazil route, the group says it will maintain its participation. “Competition is a normal day. We have customers, positioning, knowledge, expertise that allow us to adapt to the competition. This is not the first time that Latam operates flights to Europe. We are not the only ones, but what I can share is that we are maintaining market share”, he stated.
The group’s aircraft and services undergo continuous updating. On Air France, the experience includes high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink, fully lie-flat seats with the Sofitel MyBed bed in business class and Apple TV available in all classes on long-haul flights. The company is also preparing the arrival of La Première suites by 2027, with menus designed by Alain Ducasse and priority ground services. KLM reinforces its positioning with the new Business Class and Premium Comfort Class, which offer wider seats and greater recline, as well as free and unlimited Wi-Fi on flights within Europe.
The investment is accompanied by investment in the fleet. Today, 36% of the group’s aircraft are new generation, compared to 5% in 2019. The goal is to reach 61% in 2028 and 81% in 2030, supported by a program worth R$18 billion in new aircraft — with lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.
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This ecosystem is expanded by the Flying Blue loyalty program, which already has 30 million members globally. In Brazil, the partnership with Gol, about to complete 12 years, expands domestic capillarity and connections to 67 destinations in Europe.
Air France-KLM shared plans to increase the number of flights and seats in 2026, reinforcing the Paris (CDG) and Amsterdam (AMS) hubs, where 33% of the group’s Brazilians connect to other destinations.
Sustainable objectives and SAF
Air France-KLM says it maintains its leadership ambition in the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), despite supply and cost challenges. SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is an aviation fuel produced from renewable sources — such as vegetable oils, agricultural residues and fats of animal origin — and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 55% and 90% throughout its life cycle, depending on the raw material and process.
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“Our ambition to be leaders and pioneers is still alive. SAF is still a super strategic focus (…) We have mandates, fees and taxes in Europe that other locations do not have. SAF supply is still not at the level we expected. This means that it has a much higher cost than we anticipated”, said Flahault.
Air France-KLM’s environmental goals include using 10% SAF in its operations by 2030, in addition to maintaining incentives for the use of biofuels as part of the energy transition strategy.
Impacts of the War in Iran
Asked about the impacts it has on the company’s operations, Flahault stated that the restrictions imposed by the conflict affect the company’s operations in different spectrums.
“Our priority today is to resolve what is urgent. We have passengers in the region who are far from home. The rest is completely uncertain. What we know is that the impact is relevant. The conflict means that our aircraft in Asia have to make an important detour and this has costs. It also causes an increase in fuel and insurance prices. It has only been a week since the start of the conflict, so it is still early, but we are monitoring the situation very carefully”, said the executive.
Air France-KLM flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until March 10. The company has only operated repatriation flights from the Middle East to Europe in the region.
