Air France-KLM Group: a major socio-economic contributor to the European Union
Source: Air France-KLM Group's socio-economic footprint study, conducted in 2026 by Professor Herbert Castéran, Director of the Institut Mines-Télécom Business School.
As one of the leading players in European air transport, and by providing a genuine network between regions and countries, the Air France-KLM Group makes a major economic and social contribution to the European Union as a whole.
In 2025, the Group contributed €113 billion to the European Union, or 0.6% of its GDP. In addition, the Air France-KLM Group generated more than €12.9 billion in tax-related revenue in the EU.
€113+ billion
in contributions to the EU economy
€12.9+ billion
in tax-related revenue in the EU
1.2+ million
direct, indirect and induced jobs generated by the Air France-KLM Group's activities in the EU
A major economic impact on national economies
The Air France-KLM Group's activity generates significant benefits for every country in the EU, in terms of jobs, contribution to GDP, and the development of local economic activity.
The Group's activity benefits all EU countries, including those not directly served by its flights. The Group's average overall impact is estimated at €252 per EU inhabitant.
Detailed figures for Europe
A driver of employment in Europe
The Group's impact is also characterized by a strong contribution to the creation of skilled jobs that cannot be offshored.
In 2025, the Air France-KLM Group's various entities made 3,000 permanent hires, mainly pilots, cabin crew and mechanics. This effort continues in 2026, particularly in aircraft maintenance.
The impact study estimated that 1,235,922 jobs in the EU depend on Air France-KLM's activity, equivalent to the population of Cyprus.
These jobs are both:
- direct jobs, held by employees working directly for the Air France-KLM Group,
- indirect jobs, in related sectors such as suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers,
- induced jobs, generated by the Group's activity, for example in tourism.
The Group is also particularly active in supporting young people's access to employment, through work-study programs and support for associations promoting inclusion.
The Air France-KLM Group also contributes to developing its employees' expertise. In 2025, nearly 3 million hours of training were provided to Group employees.
