French multinational hospitality company, AccorHotels, has resurrected its interest in acquiring a minority stake in Air France-KLM. The firm has, over the past years, held discussions with the Franco-Dutch carrier primarily on the development of joint digital projects as well as a joint loyalty and services platform with the possibility of the acquisition of a minority stake being floated in order to boost either parties' growth plans.
Responding to reports in France’s Les Echos newspaper this week that said the group could buy some or all of the French state’s 14.3% stake in Air France-KLM, AccorHotels said in a statement that feasibility assessments, as well as potential terms and conditions for a purchase, were still to be ironed out before actual talks with Air France-KLM could begin.
"There is no certainty that these initiatives will lead to any agreement nor any form of implementation," it said.
The French government has since signalled its openness to such talks in principle. Junior economy minister Delphine Geny-Stephann later told the Boursorama financial website that the actual outcome would be "up to the companies to see how those talks progress".
