Air France KLM and Delta Airlines formed a revenue and cost sharing Joint Venture that includes all transatlantic routes of the two airlines. In 2011, this joint venture generated sales of over ¤ 12 billion. The case describes the airline industry, focusing in particular on the fact that airlines have formed alliances and joint ventures on a scale unheard of in other industries. It then presents Air France KLM and Delta, the partner firms, and provides a detailed description of their joint venture, its organization, structure and operations. It also mentions tensions that have arisen between the partners over time.
Participants are asked to analyze the data in the case from the point of view of the Air France KLM management, analyze what the JV contributes to Air France KLM, identify sources of conflict and potential threats and finally suggest changes to the JV agreement that can resolve these issues.