Jackie Thompson / Marseilles
Europe’s low-cost carriers used the FrenchConnect route-planning forum, held in May in Marseilles, to take a swipe at what they describe as protectionism by the French government and a lack of a free market.
Speaking at the event, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary described the industry in France as a “bloody mess” and called upon the government to deregulate. “The French economy and tourism depend on less state aid for Air France,” he insisted. O’Leary added that the level of airport taxes in France was a “disgrace” and urged French airports to “take control of your own destinies and do not accept control from Paris”.
Ryanair announced at the event that it is setting up a base at Marseilles’s new low-cost terminal in November, from where it will operate 13 routes.
There was also criticism about the public service obligation (PSO) route system in France, which O’Leary believes is “misused widely” to benefit Air France, blocking competition on some international routes. Tim Jeans, Monarch Scheduled chief executive agreed. “In France the state regulates in favour of Air France,” he said, citing the Paris Orly-Ajaccio, Corsica route that is operated by Air France as a PSO. UK budget carrier easyJet was recently forced to abandon its plans to begin service on the route after failing to secure traffic rights.
Easyjet accuses the French government of “agreeing to a monopoly” between Air France and CCM operating out of Corsica. EasyJet’s general manager for France, Francois Bacchetta, said: “The demand for flights between Paris and Corsica is enormous and there is no justification for a monopoly.”
Mike Rutter, flybe chief operating officer, which is studying a French domestic operation, said the UK carrier could cut the cost of French domestic travel by two-thirds, compared with Air France, which it has already done against British Airways on UK routes. ■
Source: Airline Business
