Hamilton decompositions of line graphs

Abstract

It is proved that if a graph is regular of even degree and contains a Hamilton cycle, or regular of odd degree and contains a Hamiltonian $3$-factor, then its line graph is Hamilton decomposable. This result partially extends Kotzig's result that a $3$-regular graph is Hamiltonian if and only if its line graph is Hamilton decomposable, and proves the conjecture of Bermond that the line graph of a Hamilton decomposable graph is Hamilton decomposable.