AF forms single regional hub

As part of the airline’s Transform 2015 project, Air France has announced the regroup and merger of its short and medium-haul flying subsidiaries; Airlinair, Brit Air and Regional.

Expected to launch by April 2013, the carrier said it is creating a single French regional hub that will play a major role in its recovery plans as well as offer customers “a new commercial offer” that will be “rapidly adaptable” to evolving markets and rival airlines.

Although keeping the new brand name, range of fares and flight unscheduled under wraps until January next year, Air France did reveal that the new hub will operate 86 aircraft instead of the 93 currently.

The move will also result in the decrease of 64 jobs, however, the airline stressed all redundancies will be “non-replaced natural departures”.

“This new French regional division aims to specialise more than ever in services to the provinces and will contribute to regional economic development and tourism in our French regions,” the French regional hub’s boss Lionel Guerin said.

“In a competitive and increasingly difficult economic environment, it is essential to make changes.

“I trust in our experience, energy and commitment to rise to all these new challenges together.”

The single airline will also see sales and marketing of the hub be carried out by the airlines’ own sales force.

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia