Air France-KLM is abandoning its first foray into the long-haul market between London Heathrow and the US in the face of the global financial crisis - just six months after launching its initial route to Los Angeles.

Europe's biggest carrier took advantage of the liberalisation of the aviation market between the European Union and the US, which came into force at the end of March, in order to move into direct competition with British Airways at the UK flag carrier's global hub.