The Dutch-French group reported profit in the third quarter of €931 million, double the same period last year, as the group benefited from robust demand for air travel.

Turnover increased nearly 7% to €8.7 billion.

Between July and September this year the group transported 26.9 million people — an increase of 7.6% compared to the same period the previous year.

The group’s CEO Benjamin Smith said it was a “solid quarter, marked by remarkable results”.

Ticket prices have soared since the pandemic, driven by rising fuel costs, increased demand and capacity constraints.

Air France-KLM managed to turn a profit last year after having lost €11 billion during the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring the governments of France and the Netherlands to intervene.

Last month the group announced it was placing an order for 505 long-haul Airbus A350s as part of its efforts to introduce more fuel-efficient planes.

The group has also joined an investment consortium to buy nearly 20% of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which filed for bankruptcy protection last year as it reeled from Covid travel bans and a costly pilots strike.

Air France-KLM has also expressed interest in buying a stake in Portugal’s flag carrier TAP, which is being privatised after a rescue by the government.