=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2003/09/29/f= inancial0840EDT0016.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, September 29, 2003 (AP) Air France board to review proposed alliance with KLM (09-29) 05:40 PDT PARIS (AP) -- The board of Air France is expected to meet Monday after months of negotiations on a proposed alliance with Dutch carrier KLM. Earlier this month, the French and Dutch airlines confirmed they were in advanced talks. Air France confirmed that meetings were scheduled but declined to discuss the agendas. A company official said the Air France board was expected to meet this evening following an afternoon meeting between the French airline's management and unions. Dow Jones Newswires said it has been told by sources it did not identify that an alliance between the carriers would likely go deeper than the traditional commercial partnerships between airlines, but stop short of a full-blown merger. Under the reported alliance, the two airlines would retain their brands and national identities. A holding company was expected to be formed in which KLM and Air France would be subsidiaries, the sources told Dow Jones Newswires. Sources have also said Air France could use the board meeting to announce a timetable for expanding the alliance to a third partner -- Italy's Alitalia SpA. Alitalia has expressed interest in joining KLM and Air France in a three-way alliance. The Italian airline is also to hold a board meeting Monday. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP