Global Airport News

SkyTeam partners Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines are are working together to examine a possible bid for Virgin Atlantic.

According to UK newspaper The Telegraph, Air France-KLM and Delta have hired Goldman Sachs to advise them on the possibility of making a joint approach to Virgin.

Both Air France-KLM and Delta say that "as a matter of policy we do not comment on industry rumours or speculation about potential airline partnerships".

Virgin Atlantic have responded with a statement that said: "Virgin Atlantic is a strong, independent business with a good growth position at both London Heathrow and Gatwick so we are not surprised that there is interest in us."

In December, Virgin Atlantic hired Deutsche Bank to carry out a review of the aviation market on its behalf. It said at the time that it had received several "lines of enquiry" from other carriers interested in potential tie-ups.

The company added that it could not comment any further at this stage.

Virgin founder Richard Branson retained a 51 percent stake in the airline, while Singapore Airlines holds the remainder.

"As a matter of policy, we do not comment on industry rumours or speculation about potential airline partnership," said Olivia Cullis, a spokeswoman for Delta.

Air France-KLM was unavailable for comment.