Air France-KLM reports record Q3 operating profit on back of strong summer

(FILES) An Air France plane is pictured on the tarmac of the Schiphol airport. (Photo by Ramon van Flymen/ ANP/ AFP)/ Netherlands OUT

LONDON: Airline group Air France-KLM on Friday reported its highest third quarter operating profit ever at 1.3 billion euros ($1.37 billion), in line with analysts' consensus, driven by strong summer demand.

Europe's airlines are expected to report strong results this quarter on the back of robust summer ticket sales, with balance sheets still largely unhindered by rising jet fuel prices thanks to hedging across the sector.