It is an understatement to say that Air France is going through a difficult period since the start of the health crisis linked to the coronavirus. The company's results are historically poor for the first three months of the year: Air France lost nearly 2 billion euros over this period ... and this is only the beginning. While the group will receive 7 billion euros in guaranteed loans from the state, it is actively preparing a plan to recover. Here are the first advanced tracks.
A reduced flight plan and a reduction in staff?
Air France will initially reduce its flight plan for next year by 20%. But fewer flights mean there will be fewer planes ... and fewer staff. Thousands of positions are at stake. "When we see how the other companies are cutting their workforce, Air France will not be able to do without", he said internally.
"This crisis will be historic for the group, we will have to go far to compare ourselves to our competitors", moreover warned Ben Smith, the boss of Air France, on the board of directors.
Major restructuring of activities in France
The group is therefore preparing a major restructuring of its activities, particularly in France. To respond to a request from the government to be a greener airline, Air France will gradually stop all its connections within 2h30 from Orly by train, as specified in late April on Europe 1 the Minister of Transport Elisabeth Borne. Are concerned destinations like Nantes, Bordeaux or Lyon.
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The most deficit lines will also be stopped, and transverse routes will be stopped. In recent months, Nantes-Montpellier have already been arrested. The company is currently conducting a strategic review, with a final plan to be presented in July. All the actors say it, it is the survival of Air France that is at stake at the moment.