Air France is set to boost capacity to African destinations this summer to fill the gap left by the collapse of Sabena and Swissair. The increase in capacity to Africa is part of the airline's summer schedule, which will see overall capacity maintained at the same level as last year.
While 68.8% more capacity will be offered to African destinations, Air France has cut 13.8% of available seat-miles on North American routes, 5.2% to Latin America and 6.9% to the Middle East.
African capacity will increase through the use of larger aircraft, with Airbus A310s and A340s to be replaced by larger Boeing 747s on flights to Abidjan, Dakar and Johannesburg.
As a result of the downturn, vice-president of marketing Bruno Matheu says two 747-200s and one Boeing 767 will be withdrawn from service this summer, a year earlier than planned. Leases will not be renewed on three Airbus A321s and one 737-300, as well as a Bombardier CRJ 700 operated by regional subsidiary Brit Air, and an Embraer ERJ-145 operated by Régional.
Services to Dallas and Houston will be discontinued, while second daily flights to US cities will not resume, with the exception of Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington. New York will be served by both subsonic and supersonic flights when Concorde resumes daily services on 1 June.
Source: Flight International
