Air France-KLM is planning to continue using its Martinair brand after its last Boeing MD-11 freighter is decommissioned in 2016.

Three Boeing 747Fs set to remain in Amsterdam will, though operated by Martinair, carry a KLM livery instead. However, a KLM spokesman insists it will not abandon Martinair's "good name" which offers "certain advantages" such as landing rights.

Retirement of the MD-11Fs "does not mean that Martinair will go", he stresses.

How the changes will affect the Martinair Regional Jet Center is unclear. Formerly known as Martinair Maintenance & Engineering, the hangar at Schiphol airport is used to service Embraer and Fokker regional jets, with KLM as its largest customer. KLM declined to comment on the future prospects for the MRO facility under the corporate group's new "Perform 2020" efficiency programme.

KLM says it is discussing job cuts with unions following the decision to cut Martinair's fleet, with an aim of employing affected staff members elsewhere in the group.

Source: Cirium Dashboard