KLM and its Transavia subsidiary carried 4.3 million passengers in April, putting the Dutch arm ahead of Air France which moved 3.9 million passengers in that month.

The figures, published on Friday, places even more stress on beleagured Air France KLM ahead of the combine’s AGM on Tuesday.

KLM’s passenger numbers were 5.2% higher than in April 2017, while Air France’s figures reflected a 8.7% decline.  Passenger numbers for the Franco-Dutch alliance were down 2.5% in April. This was the first time KLM carried more passengers in a month than Air France.

Air France KLM said in a statement the decline in Air France passenger numbers in April was ‘due to eight days of strike’.

Strikes are what are pulling the fragile partnership apart. Air France pilots are seeking a fatter pay package and industrial action in support of this are ongoing.

Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra is in Paris on Friday to discuss the problems with his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire ahead of the AGM.