Routes analyzes some of the services returning as well as new routes being launched. This week we look at Wizz opening routes to Romania from Birmingham; Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s latest service; and Air France’s decision to begin flights to a fourth destination in India.
Chief executives from some of the world’s leading airlines will be in attendance at Routes Reconnected to discuss the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business models and how they intend to rebuild passenger demand.
Air France has tested all-electric ramp-handling equipment for the first time ahead of an Airbus A350 flight from Paris to Delhi as part of broader sustainability efforts, which include making its ground operations carbon neutral by 2030.
China has condemned France’s decision to slash the number of Chinese airline flights to Paris per week from three to just one, which Paris said was in response to China’s "five ones" policy.
Air France plans to cut 6,560 jobs by the end of 2022, with a further 1,020 to go from its regional subsidiary HOP! through fleet simplification and restructuring.
Air France plans to gradually build up its flight schedule over the coming months as its aims to serve close to 150—or 80%— of its regular destinations this summer.
An Air France pilots union has expressed concerns over a plan being formulated to restructure the carrier’s domestic network, with low-cost subsidiary Transavia set to take on a greater role at the expense of Air France and regional brand HOP.
Air France has definitively ended Airbus A380 operations, bringing forward an existing plan to phase out the superjumbo following the coronavirus outbreak.
Subject to travel restrictions being lifted, Air France plans to gradually resume flights by the end of June, aiming to operate about 15% of its normal schedule using 75 of its 224 aircraft.
The European Commission has approved the French state’s €7 billion ($7.7 billion) package to help Air France-KLM withstand the COVID-19 crisis, saying the plans comply with EU state aid rules and praising the decision to link the funding to environmental targets.
France’s economy minister has told Air France to drastically reduce its emissions in return for the €7 billion ($7.6 billion) in loans the French state has promised the Air France-KLM group to help it survive the COVID-19 crisis.
France’s economy minister Bruno Le Maire has pledged to support big companies, including Air France, by any means necessary as the government unveiled an initial €45 billion ($49.6 billion) package of financial aid for struggling businesses hit by the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.
