Air France-KLM has been hit by the economic downturn and fluctuating oil prices in the first half of its 2008-2009 book year, the airline said on Thursday.

Net profit fell to €196m, compared with €1.15bn in the year-earlier period. Excluding one-offs, net profit fell to €385m, the company said. Turnover was up 4.4% at nearly €13bn.
Operational director Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, who will replace CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta next year, said in a statement that the figures were ‘strong considering the difficult economic circumstances’.
For the full Air France-KLM statement, click here