The source added that the shortlist of names could be finalised either this week or next week.

A spokeswoman for Air France KLM said the company had no comment to make on the matter.

The airline has been hunting for a new boss since the abrupt departure of Jean-Marc Janaillac in May after staff rejected a pay proposal aimed at ending a series of strikes that have led to heavy losses.

Last week, France's transport minister Elisabeth Borne said it was important the new CEO was an air transport specialist.

The French government has a stake of about 14 percent in Air France KLM.

Delta Airlines and China Eastern Airlines each hold 8.8 percent, while Accor has considered taking a minority stake in Air France KLM to help Accor compete with broader travel packages offered by online rivals such as Expedia and Booking.com.

(Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Additional reporting by Cyril Altmeyer; Editing by Yves Clarisse/Sudip Kar-Gupta)