Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) is in talks with Air France (AF, Paris CDG) and partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol) to share revenue on routes from Abu Dhabi International to Europe. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, KLM Chief Executive Camiel Eurlings said the two groups are looking to finalize an initial joint-venture aimed at increasing cooperation beyond an existing code-sharing agreement.

One of the obstacles facing the pact is how revenue generated will be shared among the partners given the disparity in overall passenger traffic.

Mirroring local rival Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) and its recent announcement of talks with Air China (CA, Beijing Capital), Eurlings said the Franco-Dutch carrier is also considering deeper partnerships with China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou), China Eastern Airlines (MU, Shanghai Hongqiao) and Xiamen Airlines (MF, Xiamen) involving revenue sharing opportunities and combined operations.