Air France plans to close all regional bases by 2022. The management announced this during an internal video conference. Those affected include Marseilles, Nantes and Toulouse, where protests against these decisions are now planned.
The airline did not want to officially confirm anything, but the French portal TourMag has a corresponding recording of the video conference. Furthermore, Executive Vice President Oltion Carkaxhija confirmed to the workforce that all Regio-Bases outside Paris should be closed. It is still unclear to what extent the cheap subsidiary Transavia could take over one or the other base. Corresponding discussions are currently taking place behind the scenes.
Air France launched the regional concept in 2011. With this one wanted to offer low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet Paroli. The Hop brand, which was specially created for this, is no longer used. Since the French government is pushing hard to reduce domestic flights, the closure of the bases outside Paris is a step that comes as little surprise in industry circles. At the same time, the corona pandemic offers the “ideal” pretext to be able to cut staff that is no longer needed.
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