Julian Moxon/Paris
Air France president Christian Blanc has made it clear to the French Government that he wants to order a mix of Boeing 777s and Airbus A340s as part of the flag carrier's fleet-renewal programme.
Up to ten of each type are likely to be ordered soon, following a crucial board meeting on 20 November. "For the development of our fleet, there is no opposition between Boeing and Airbus," Blanc told French financial newspaper Les Echos. "They are complimentary," he adds.
The airline has not ordered any aircraft since 1993. Now that it has met the European Commission's requirements for restructuring following the Fr20 billion ($3.8 billion) French Government re- capitalisation, the way is clear for further orders.
Blanc says that Air France will have balanced books at the end of the financial year "-despite the unforeseen increase in fuel prices". Having piloted the carrier since 1993, "-when we were told that bankruptcy was inevitable", he makes it clear that he expects the Government to go along with his decision, despite its efforts to promote an all-Airbus order.
In the face of strong union objections, Blanc remains committed to the fusion between Air France and domestic carrier Air France Europe (formerly Air Inter) by the second quarter of 1997. "It is imperative that we establish a domestic feeder airline. Without that you are dead," he says. "Most of our staff understand that."
Source: Flight International
