Restructuring Plan Expected To Be Finalized By Year's End

Air France-KLM group will be profitable by the end of the year, according to officials of the company, and group head Alexandre de Juniac says that deep job juts and extensive restructuring will "save" Air France as the airline celebrates its 80th year.

In an interview with Europe 1 radio, de Juniac said that the group should make money this year, and that Air France would do so an entity in 2014. He said that the group will "have the means for development" and "open new routes" in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Air France has been struggling financially since 2009, according to a report from the French news service AFP. De Juniac said that the airline is "in the process of being saved, but we have to do what we said we will do."

That involves many job cuts, extended hours for the remaining employees, and increased time in the air, according to the executive.

Under the Air France "Transform 2015" plan, 1,826 employees were to take voluntary separations from the company. A second round of layoffs announced on Friday would end work for another 2,800 people.

FMI: www.klm.com/corporate/en/about-klm/air-france-klm/index.html