Air France (Paris) today called on its unions to help it overhaul its loss-making short-haul European network. The survival of its short and medium haul routes depends on “drastic” cuts (20 percent) that the company has developed at its regional bases according to this report by Reuters.

Air France has also stated it will develop and expand the lower-cost Transavia Airlines (Amsterdam).

Air France is facing stiff competition in Europe by easyJet (UK) (London-Luton) and Ryanair (Dublin) which have lower labor costs.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

In other news, on April 3 AF celebrated the delivery of its 60th Boeing 777 passenger jetliner. 777-328 ER F-GZNL (msn 40063) arrived in Paris on April 4.

Air France’s newest 777-300 ER seats 468 passengers in a three-class configuration. The brand-new cabin includes 14 business class lie-flat seat beds measuring over 78.74 inches (2 m) in length, plus an in-seat entertainment system with 15-inch (38 cm) wide screens in 16:9 format. It also features 32 “Alize” new premium economy fixed-shell seats offering 40 percent additional space compared with seats in economy class.

Air France, a member of Sky Team, will operate this 777-300 ER between Paris and the French Overseas Departments in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean regions, including Fort de France, Pointe a Pitre and St-Denis de la Reunion.

By summer 2012, Air France will operate a total of 62 777 passenger jetliners and two 777 Freighters.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean.

Air France Slide Show: CLICK HERE