Paris and the European Commission agree on new aid to Air France

The Air France-KLM group lost two thirds of its customers last year and its debt almost doubled to 11 billion euros.

STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP / File

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Paris and Brussels have agreed on new support for Air France, on condition that the company makes room for competition in flight slots at Orly airport.  

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The announcement was made by French Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, guest of RTL's “Grand Jury”.

No details, no figures yet, but this "

 good news 

" should encourage the company to become more competitive. 

To obtain this new aid from the State shareholder, Air France will have to give up " 

a certain number of slots 

" for landing and take-off at Orly.

How many exactly?

This will be discussed on Monday at a group board meeting.

But this is less than the 24 claimed so far by Brussels, welcomes Bruno Le Maire while warning:

“ 

This is very good news for Air France, it is very good news for the entire French airline sector.

We have already supported Air France a lot.

I would remind you that - the French state -

7 billion euros in support

has already been provided

to Air France.

I want things to be very clear.

We support Air France because I believe that there are tens of thousands of jobs behind, that it is strategic for the country.

But Air France must make efforts to be competitive.

Air France must continue to

reduce its CO2 emissions

.

Air France must keep its ambition to be the world's leading company in terms of respect for the environment.

We do not sign a blank check.

 "

A few days ago, the Air France group, whose debt has doubled since last year, offered new

avenues of savings

to employees.

A minefield.

The unions are said to have planned to meet in an extraordinary Central Social and Economic Committee (CSEC) on Tuesday.

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