Paris (AFP)
The transformation plan of Air France "will be without social suffering", assured Wednesday on LCI the Secretary of State for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari.
Air France's "transformation plan", which notably relates to the reduction of the airline's domestic flight network, "will be done without social suffering, it is a commitment, and it will be done in a concerted and transparent manner", said Djebbari, referring to "mobility possibilities" and "voluntary departure plans when possible".
Air France-KLM managing director Benjamin Smith announced a plan to reduce the offer on French domestic flights by 40% by the end of May 2021, with the closure of several destinations when there is has a rail alternative within 2.5 hours and when this service does not supply the Roissy-Charles-De-Gaulle hub.
This decision responds to a request from the State which, after having granted Air France financial support of 7 billion euros, including 4 billion bank loans guaranteed 90% by the State and 3 billion direct loan, asked to improve its profitability and its environmental impact, and to start thinking about its network in France.
Smith is expected to present a roadmap for its domestic network in the summer, heavily affected by competition from high-speed train lines and on which the company lost € 200 million in 2019.
An Air France intersyndicale asked on Tuesday "the opening of discussions" on the future of the company with all the unions, and asked that "cease" the negotiations "started with the only pilot pilots unions" on the network domesticated.
© 2020 AFP