To receive European aid, Air France must give up slots at Orly

By virtue of the "agreement in principle" concluded between Brussels and Paris to provide financial assistance to the company, the European Commission is asking Air France to give up 24 slots at Orly airport, in exchange for new aid from the state.

REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

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2 min

This Monday, April 5 in the morning takes place the highly anticipated Board of Directors of Air France.

On the agenda, the “agreement in principle” concluded between Brussels and Paris to help the company financially.

The European Commission is asking Air France to give up 24 slots at Orly airport, in exchange for new state aid.

Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of the Economy accepts the idea of ​​abandoning the slots, but promises that there will not be as many.

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With our correspondent in Brussels

,

Jérémy Audouard

This "agreement in principle" comes after several weeks of intense negotiations between Brussels and Paris.

The European Commission indeed has a right of scrutiny when States wish to help certain strategic companies, such as air carriers.

Brussels may require counterparties, which trade directly with a Member State.

7 billion euros already paid

Paris can therefore support Air France and 7 billion euros have already been paid. A new envelope should arrive soon.

But in exchange, to avoid distortion of competition, Air France must abandon landing and take-off slots.

This was what was at the center of the discussions.

Niches which then go to other companies.

Brussels is in a way temporizing State aid with the “law of the market”.

Last year, in the same situation, it was

the German company, Lufthansa

, which had to give up 24 slots.

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  • France

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