KLM slashes prices to Europe

"It's the biggest price cut in the history of KLM ... The new tariffs, which will be valid for the entire year, are similar to (big discount) action tariffs," KLM said.
KLM, which was taken over by Air France earlier this year, said quality and service will remain unchanged, although the airline will introduce some new costs. Unlike budget carriers, KLM still provides some refreshments without charge.
"By cutting prices, KLM expects to carry more passengers and generate substantially more revenues in European passenger transport," the airline said in a statement.
Analysts said KLM was responding to severe competition in Europe from low-cost carriers like Easyjet and Ryanair, pointing out that prices were not cut on intercontinental flights where it was better able to fill seats.
"The competition in Europe is killing," said analyst Peter Koster at FBS Bankiers.
In Europe, KLM's passenger load factor in the 2003/2004 financial year was 75 percent -- meaning that on average one in four seats was empty - compared with a company average of 80.1 percent.
KLM also said it will make pricing more transparent, and cut costs by mainly issuing electronic tickets.
The lowest tariff, in the Take Off Fare class, to a popular destination such as Heathrow will drop to 69 euros ($94) from 109 euros, before airport taxes and surcharges. The price for a return ticket to Nice will be cut to 99 euros from 167 euros.
Seats available
Hundreds of seats will be available at the lowest prices every day, KLM said, addressing concerns from the Dutch consumer union which said earlier this week that advertised low prices in the wider travel industry were rarely available to consumers.
The airline will introduce three other tariff classes, mainly aimed at business travellers, which provide more flexibility to change flights.
In a new departure, KLM will charge 10 euros for a reservation made online, 25 euros for a phone booking and 45 euros for a ticket booked in the KLM ticket offices.
In addition, for the lowest priced fares, travellers will have to pay another 5 euros reservation surcharge for a return ticket.
These costs will come on top of 25.11 euros of airport taxes at Schiphol plus taxes at the destination airport, as well as fuel and security surcharges of 26 euros.
Passengers who still prefer a paper ticket instead of an electronic ticket will have to pay another 30 euros.
Air France KLM shares in Paris and Amsterdam were largely unaffected by the news.