Last week, it was announced that Paris-based airlines La Compagnie and XL Airways have combined forces to create the XL Airways-La Compagnie Group. This new group will continue to specialize in low-cost, international, long-haul service, while being able to take advantage of the benefits that come from a larger operation. La Compagnie’s pair of Boeing 757 aircraft are expected to remain business class only, while XL Airways will continue to focus on budget, economy class flights. The group intends to compete with Air France on trans-Atlantic flights. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it was announced that La Compagnie’s Founder and CEO, Frantz Yvelin, will resign his post and XL Airways CEO Laurent Magnin will take over as head of the newly formed company.