FRENCH DOMESTIC and regional carrier Air France Europe (incorporating the former Air Inter) is fighting to regain traffic, which it has lost since French air services were opened to competition from domestic rivals.
In what he says will be an "aggressive" campaign to prepare the airline for total liberalisation in April 1997, Air France Europe assistant director-general Christian Boireau has revealed plans, which will end some of the airline's often-criticised practices, such as the absence of in-flight snacks. Instead, he says, it will take advantage of its established presence throughout the French domestic route system, to attack the growing success of new competitors such as Air Liberte, AOM and TAT.
Passenger traffic has fallen by 4% in the first two months of this year compared with the same period in 1995, says Boireau, while turnover fell by around 8% during the whole of 1995. "Our service will be improved progressively during the year," he says. Passengers will be issued with boarding cards, for example, when they buy their tickets.
Up to 12 million of the 25 million passengers carried each year will be targeted by fare-saving schemes, including those flying the new route to London, recently handed over by Air France.
The airline will also benefit from the introduction of the smaller Airbus A319s in June.
Source: Flight International
