New Air France president Jean-Cyril Spinetta has chosen Lyon Airport, in the south of France, as the national airline's second hub, after Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
In his first public statement since being confirmed in the job at the end of October, Spinetta says that Lyon is the "most appropriate" choice for what he calls a "rear-guard" hub, which "will enable us to take real advantage of our franchise agreement with Brit Air".
Brit Air, based in Morlaix, has strong links with Italian destinations from Lyon and has become one of Air France's largest independent regional operators. Air France's own domestic operation, Air France Europe, formerly Air Inter, has now been absorbed within the group.
Besides improving services to Italy, Air France will use Lyon to link French cities with German, Spanish and Swiss destinations, concentrating flights around two periods each day to improve connections, with the average number of frequencies between city pairs expected to grow by 33%, and seats offered by 18%.
Spinet confirmed at the inauguration of the Lyon hub that a decision on a closer relationship with Alitalia is likely "before the end of the year". The Italian carrier is also in talks with KLM, tipped as the lead candidate.
Source: Flight International
