Air France-KLM beats earnings forecasts as summer bookings take off – Reuters

Air France-KLM beats earnings forecasts as summer bookings take off – Reuters

PARIS, May 5 (Reuters) - Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) posted a first-quarter core profit that landed ahead of its own forecasts, fuelled by a recovery in ticket sales and lower unit costs, the Franco-Dutch airline group said on Thursday.

Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Smith said the "recovery is here" amid strong forward bookings. "This paves the way for a successful summer season," he said in a statement.

The company flagged strong demand trends in March, despite the continued impact of COVID-19 and a short slowdown after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February.