Editing KLM (section)

===2000s: Air France-KLM merger ===
On 30 September 2003 [[Air France]] and KLM agreed to a merger plan in which Air France and KLM would become subsidiaries of a holding company called [[Air France-KLM]]. Both airlines would retain their own brands; both [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]] and [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] would become key hubs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air France and KLM get close|url=http://www.economist.com/node/2098740|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=17 February 2013|date=6 October 2003|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024040745/http://www.economist.com/node/2098740|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2004 the [[European Commission]] and [[United States Department of Justice]] approved the proposed merger of the airlines.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Commission clears merger between Air France and KLM subject to conditions |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-04-194_en.htm |publisher=European Commission |date=11 February 2004 |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521234953/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-04-194_en.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History 2004 |url=http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Organization/History/2004/ |publisher=SkyTeam |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208012936/http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Organization/History/2004/ |archive-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> In April 2004 an exchange offer in which KLM shareholders exchanged their KLM shares for Air France shares took place.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Air France exchange offer for all common shares of KLM |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56316/000115697304000389/u47326e425.htm |publisher=Air France |date=2 April 2004 |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-date=2 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602064204/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/56316/000115697304000389/u47326e425.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 5 May 2004 Air France-KLM has been listed on the [[Euronext]] exchanges in Paris, Amsterdam and New York.<ref name=referencedoc0405>{{cite web |url=http://www.airfranceklm-finance.com/en/content/download/5076/32313/file/Reference-Document_2004-05_EN.pdf |title=2004–05 Reference Document |date=12 July 2005 |publisher=Air France–KLM Finance |access-date=18 February 2013 |page=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120023/http://www.airfranceklm-finance.com/en/content/download/5076/32313/file/Reference-Document_2004-05_EN.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2004, the merger was completed by creation of the Air France-KLM holding company.<ref name=referencedoc0405 /> The merger resulted in the world's largest airline group and should have led to an estimated annual cost-saving of between €400 million and €500 million.<ref name=afklmergerdeal>{{cite press release |title=Air France – KLM, A Global Airline Market Leader |url=http://corporate.airfrance.com/uploads/media/airfrance_klm_a_global_airline_market_leader_01.pdf |publisher=Air France / KLM |date=5 May 2004 |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623150458/http://corporate.airfrance.com/uploads/media/airfrance_klm_a_global_airline_market_leader_01.pdf |archive-date=23 June 2013}}</ref>

It did not appear that KLM's longstanding joint venture with Northwest Airlines—which merged with [[Delta Air Lines]] in 2008—was affected by the merger with Air France. KLM and Northwest joined the SkyTeam alliance in September 2004. Also in 2004, senior management came under fire for providing itself with controversial bonuses after the merger with Air France, while 4,500 jobs were lost at KLM. After external pressure, management gave up on these bonuses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/article/2004/klm-senior-managers-forgo-controversial-bonuses |title=KLM senior managers forgo controversial bonuses |publisher=Eurofound |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621043212/https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/article/2004/klm-senior-managers-forgo-controversial-bonuses |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2007 KLM started to use the [[Amadeus CRS]] reservation system, along with partner Kenya Airways. After 10 years as president of the airline, Leo van Wijk resigned from his position and was succeeded by [[Peter Hartman]].<ref>{{cite web |title=People: 5 December 2006 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/people-5-december-2006-210896/ |publisher=Flight International |access-date=17 February 2013 |date=5 December 2006 |archive-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051535/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/people-5-december-2006-210896/ |url-status=live }}</ref>