Air France-KLM Takes 31% Stake in Virgin Atlantic

• Air France-KLM Takes 31% Stake in Virgin Atlantic

The French-Dutch airline Air France-KLM announced Thursday it was taking a 31 percent state in Britain’s Virgin Atlantic for 220 million pounds ($287 million, 246 million euros).

“The operation is expected to take place in 2018 after approval by the appropriate regulatory authorities,” Air France-KLM said in a statement.

The airline will become Virgin Atlantic’s second biggest shareholder after the US carrier Delta Airlines, which holds 49 percent.