A spokesman for KLM confirmed today that agreement is near on a proposed merger with Air France.
Air France refused to comment.
KLM has been cautious in officially commenting on the progress in talks with Air France, in part due to its botched hopes over the last years to tie up with British Airways and Alitalia.
KLM spokesman Bart Koster said that BA, with which it broke off talks about an alliance last month, has left the door open for a possible resumption of negotiations should alliance talks break down with Air France.