PARIS, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Air France KLM (AIRF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday signalled an imminent joint-venture deal on transatlantic flights by calling a joint news conference by the two airlines' chief executives in Paris on Oct. 17.

Air France KLM declined further comment on the invitation, but it has said it is close to finalising a deal with Skyteam partner Delta that would create better cost-sharing and integration on the transatlantic routes.

A source close to the matter said a deal would be signed at or around the Oct. 17 event.

The deal follows an Open Skies agreement to free up competition between Europe and the United States from April.