French state may call on banks to contribute to Air France bailout

PARIS (Reuters) - The French government may call on banks to contribute to a bailout of Air France KLM if it offers state support to the struggling airline, the finance minister said on Thursday.The government has earmarked 20 billion euros ($21.7 billion) to recapitalise - or nationalise if necessary - big French firms that cannot make it alone through the coronavirus crisis and has indicated that Air France is first in line."You say that Air France (needs) 7 billion euros, we can very well..