Tag Archives: Air France

Air France continues to increase its services to east Africa

  • Launch of a new route to Dar Es Salam (Tanzania) as a continuation of the service to Zanzibar;
  • Increased flights to Zanzibar (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya) and Antananarivo (Madagascar).

Air France has unveiled the first new routes of its 2023 Summer flight schedule (April – October 2023), characterized by increased service to East Africa, in particular.

As of June 12, 2023, Air France will inaugurate a new route from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Dar Es Salam (Tanzania) as a continuation of the service to Zanzibar (also located in Tanzania).

This new service will be operated three times per week by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, equipped with 30 seats in Business, 21 seats in Premium Economy and 225 seats in Economy.


Air France flight schedules (local time)

AF876: departs Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 10:20 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and lands in Zanzibar at 8:15 PM. Departs from Zanzibar at 9:45PM, and lands in Dar Es Salam at 10:20 PM (the same day).
AF876 (same flight number): departs Dar Es Salam at 11:50 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and lands at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 07:55 AM (the following day).

More flights to Zanzibar (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya) and Antananarivo (Madagascar)

The new Dar es Salam service will result in increased frequencies between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Zanzibar.

Beginning Summer 2023, the “Spice Islands” will be serviced three times a week, compared to two in 2022.

This route, inaugurated in Winter 2021, was operated until recently as a continuation of the service to Nairobi (Kenya).

As of June 12, 2023, the Kenyan capital will benefit from nonstop service in both directions; with one daily flight to/from Paris-Charles de Gaulle – as opposed to the current six flights a week. These flights will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Starting next summer, Air France will offer a denser flight schedule further south between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Antananarivo (Madagascar) with five non-stop weekly flights compared to the current four. Flights to and from Madagascar will be operated for the first time by an Airbus A350-900, the new jewel of the company’s long-haul fleet, equipped with 34 seats in Business, 24 seats in Premium Economy and 266 seats in Economy.

Continued service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-Newark (USA) and between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Hong Kong (China)

In addition to these new services, the summer of 2023 will see a continuation of flights between

–     Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-Newark (USA), a year-round service that will be inaugurated on December 12, 2022, with one daily flight operated by a Boeing 777-200ER,
–     Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Hong Kong (China), a year-round service that is currently suspended but expected to resume on January 9, 2023, with three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (return flight on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays), operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

Above Copyright Photo: Air France Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner F-HRBJ (msn 42497) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 950659.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

Air France-KLM replays €1 billion out of the €3.5 billion outstanding loans from France and banks

Air France-KLM made this announcement:

  • The solid improvement in operating performance over the first nine months of the year have allowed the Group to accelerate the repayment of financing received during the Covid-19 crisis.
  • This early repayment will improve the Group’s debt profile by reducing financial costs and limiting exposure to floating rates.

Continuing the positive trend observed in the first half of 2022, Air France-KLM published its third-quarter financial results on Oct. 27th that confirmed the strong improvement of its revenues, operating result and adjusted operating free cash-flow, allowing the Group’s net cash position to approach €9.8 billion.

In this favorable context, Air France-KLM has reached an agreement with the French state and the syndicate of nine banks participating in the PGE to proceed with the early redemption of €1 billion out of the €3.5 billion outstanding. This amount includes €800 million for settlement of the tranche maturing on May 6th, 2023, and €200 million of the tranche maturing on May 6th, 2024.

In December 2021, Air France-KLM had made an early repayment of €500 million out of the initial outstanding €4 billion. With this additional early repayment of €1 billion, the total outstanding amount of the PGE is reduced to €2.5 billion euros, with the following repayment profile:

  • May 2024: partial redemption of €1.15 billion, leaving an outstanding amount of €1.35 billion,
  • May 2025: final repayment of €1.35 billion (no further outstanding amount thereafter).

Top Copyright Photo: Air France Boeing 777-328 ER F-GSQC (msn 32727) IAH (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 956493.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

Air France-KLM Group reports a net profit in the third quarter

Air France-KLM Group issued this financial statement for the third quarter:

  •   Group revenues at €8.1bn, above 2019 level (+€503m)
  •   Group capacity at 89% of 2019 level with load factor at 88% close to 2019 level (90%)
  •   Operating result at €1,024m with operating margin at 12.6% above 2019 level (12.0%)
  •   Positive Adjusted operating free cash flow for the 6th quarter in a row at €290m
  •   Net debt down by €2.3bn euros, compared to end of 2021
  •   Return to positive operating result expected for Full Year above €900m1

    Commenting on the results, Mr. Benjamin Smith, Group CEO, said:

    “Thanks to solid preparation and to our agile approach to capacity, Air France-KLM was able to make the most of the strong travel demand this quarter. While the situation remains unsatisfactory in some key airports-, notably impacting KLM at its Amsterdam Schiphol hub, we saw significant improvements following the operational challenges that had erupted earlier this year. The Group posted a strong operating result in spite of rising fuel costs and inflation, and the Group remains confident in its ability to further increase capacity during the Winter season.

    I would like to thank all customers who chose to fly with us, and our employees who did their very best to welcome them at every step of their journey. Going forward we will continue to implement our transformation plan and accelerate our sustainability efforts, as illustrated by the recent signing of long-term SAF supply contracts. This reinforces our position as a responsible leader in transportation, as well as our commitment to being frontrunners in the decarbonization of our industry.”

    Strong improvement Third quarter revenues, operating result and marginIn the third quarter 2022, the Air France-KLM Group posted a positive operating result of 1,024 million euros, up by 897 million euros at a constant currency compared to last year. This increase was driven by an increase in capacity, load factor and yield.
    Net income amounted to 460 million euros in the third quarter 2022, an increase of 653 million euros compared to last year.

In the Third quarter Air France-KLM welcomed 25 million passengers which is 47.6% above the same quarter in previous year. As capacity increased by 29.1% and traffic increased by 70.7%, the load factor increased by 21.6 points compared to last year.
The passenger unit revenue per ASK of the Group increased by 52% against a constant currency compared to the third quarter 2021. This increase was driven by both load factor and yield.

The group unit cost per ASK at constant fuel and constant currency is up 1.8% versus the same quarter last year.

The unit cost is up 2.9% at a constant fuel price and constant currency (USD & related currencies only) versus the third quarter of 2019, with a capacity down by 11%. The ongoing transformation programs enable Air France-KLM to limit the impact of increasing costs such as airport and ATC charges, and the increase of labor cost at KLM.

Compared to September 2019, the number of Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) at Air France, excluding Transavia France, decreased by 16% and by 11% at KLM.

In the third quarter staff costs decreased by 6% compared to the same quarter in 2019 thanks to FTE reduction.

Air France-KLM keeps redeeming liquidity support while maintaining a solid cash position

  •   In December 2021, Air France-KLM redeemed 0.5 billion euros of the outstanding 4 billion French State guaranteed loan provided by a syndicate of 9 Banks during Covid crisis (“PGE”).
  •   By the end of June 2022, KLM fully redeemed its RCF and Dutch State Loan for a total amount of 0.9 billion euros
  •   In November 2022 Air France-KLM will pursue deleveraging and reprofiling its unsecured debt and will proceed with the partial and early redemption of the “PGE”. The redemption amount will be 1.0 billion euros out of the 3.5 billion euros outstanding. The remaining bank loan profile will incur no further expected redemption till May 2024 and will remain unchanged beyond (till May 2025). As a result, the Group will reduce its overall financial charges and its exposure to floating rates.
  •   During 2022 and 2023, Air France-KLM will contemplate possible hybrid bonds issuances up to €1.2bn subject to market conditions
  •   The restoration of negative equity will be done through net profit generation and quasi- equity projects.

OUTLOOK

Context:

In the third quarter, Air France and KLM remained among the most active airlines to accommodate the travel recovery, with a capacity for Network passenger activity at index 85%, in line with the upper end of the guidance provided, meaning that the Group delivered according to its plan. Despite some isolated disruptions in Paris, operations were more robust in France than in other European countries while Schiphol remains in a challenging situation, in a context of a very tight labor market conditions, and imposed capacity restrictions to KLM.

Air France and KLM did their utmost to mitigate these challenges and continue to prioritise safeguarding the trust of their customers. For the third quarter, these disruptions resulted in 60 million euros additional compensation costs compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Capacity

Air France-KLM is confident that the recovery context will continue and therefore, the Group expects the capacity in Available Seat Kilometers for Air France-KLM Network passenger activity at an index of:

  •   Circa 85% for the fourth quarter of 2022
  •   Circa 80% for the Full Year 2022
  •   Circa 90% for the first quarter of 2023

    All indices compared to the respective period of 2019.

    The capacity of Transavia keeps on growing with Available Seat Kilometers expected at an index of circa 115 for the full year and at an index of circa 140 in both the fourth quarter 2022 and the first quarter 2023 compared to 2019.

    Yield

    The yield environment should remain healthy for the winter season with a solid demand in line with the capacity, resulting in yield levels above 2019.

    Expected operating result

    Above 900 million euros for Full Year 2022, based on fuel forward curve at 21 October 2022 and under currently foreseen circumstances.

    Cash

    As of September 30 2022, the Group has a strong 12.3 billion euros of liquidity and credit lines at its disposal.

    Full year 2022 Net Capex spending is estimated at circa 2.3 billion euros, which is 80% fleet & fleet related and 20% IT & Ground related.

Third quarter 2022 total revenues increased by 76.1% at constant currency to 6,907 million euros. The operating result amounted to 851 million euros, which represents an 863 million euros increase at constant currency compared to last year.

Strong summer demand resulting in high yield across the diversified network

Third quarter 2022 capacity in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) was 29.3% higher than last year and at 85% of 2019 third quarter level, which was at the upper end of the Group’s guidance provided during the second quarter 2022 results presentation.

In response to the rise in fuel prices and other external costs, the Group proceeded to several fare increases during the first half of the year across all long-haul flights. The amount of the increase varied according to destination and class of travel, and applied to flights operated by Air France and KLM. Additionally, in line with the strong summer demand, the strong performance in Premium cabins and the solid corporate traffic recovery have all led to a yield above the 2019 level in the third quarter.

The third quarter result is driven by a strong performance of the entire network:

  •   North Atlantic: capacity was above 2019 thanks to a strong demand recovery. Yields were strongly up versus 2019 levels due to high demand, fare increases and a positive cabin mix.
  •   Latin America: capacity discipline on South America routes combined with a very resilient demand led to a strong yield.
  •   Asia: the strong yield performance is due to a limited capacity and the Group continues to observe significant differences between the regions. South East Asia and India showed positive dynamic in yield and traffic while China maintained its zero-Covid policy with severe travel restrictions.
  •   Middle-East: performance remained strong during the third quarter, especially on premium cabins and due to an increased traffic on some routes.
  •   Caribbean & Indian Ocean: the yields improved thanks to successive fare increases and a positive cabin mix effect.
  •   Africa: a strong corporate recovery was observed in all areas. For KLM, the performance was driven by East and South Africa with strong yield increase linked to positive cabin mix and a positive economy yield evolution. For Air France, performance was driven by West and Central African countries with a good steering strategy.
  •   Short and Medium-haul: strong booking dynamic since March. KLM is impacted by restrictions on flight departures from Amsterdam which led to traffic restriction. The yield is above 2019, especially on leisure routes with network capacity constraints and a positive competition environment.

    During the third quarter, Air France added one Airbus A350-900 and two Airbus A220-300 to its fleet. One B777-200, two Airbus A380-800, two Airbus A320, one Airbus A319, one Airbus A318 and two Canadair Jet 1000 left the fleet. KLM phased in one Embraer 195 E2. The Group will continue to introduce new generation aircraft to its fleet in order to improve its economic and environmental performance.

Cargo: Strong yield increase mitigates lower load factor

Compared to the third quarter of 2021, cargo capacity increased by 15.9% in Available Ton Kilometers, mainly due to the increase in worldwide belly capacity. Despite this increased belly capacity the overall traffic decreased by 13.5% and resulted in a drop in load factor of almost 16 points. Yields, however, remained at a consistently high level (+14% vs. 2021), leading to a third quarter total revenue performance close to last year’s level.

Compared to the pre-COVID year 2019, cargo capacity in the Third quarter was still 7% below. However, due to exceptional yield performance, total revenues in the Third quarter of 2022 were 61% higher compared to 2019.

Transavia: Significant increase in traffic resulted in a positive operating result

In the Third quarter of 2022, the demand recovery in leisure traffic in Europe and North Africa continued. Compared to last year, the capacity in the third quarter increased by 28.1%, traffic increased by 45.4%, and the number of passengers increased by 41.8%.

The operating result stood at 123 million euros and improved by 18 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Compared to the same quarter in 2019, the third quarter of 2022 showed activity levels at index 110 and a load factor slightly below 2019 levels. The average unit revenue per ASK increased by 18% compared to 2019, mainly driven by a strong yield increase of 23%. The average unit cost per ASK increased by 36% versus 2019, mainly driven by the high fuelprice and high disruption cost.

The fleet of Transavia reached 100 aircraft in the third quarter and supported to capture the strong demand of leisure traffic in Europe.

The third quarter operating result stood at 46 million euros, which represents an increase of 19 million euros at constant currency compared to the third quarter 2021 and is due to a higher activity and an operational improvement.

Total revenues increased by 17.4% in the third quarter while third party revenues increased by 38.6%, showing a strong recovery.
The operating margin stood at 5.6%, which is 1.5 points higher than the operating results in the third quarter 2021. The nine months year margin amounts to 5.7%, which is above the level of the pre-covid period but still included States supports.

Adjusted operating free cash flow positive in Q3 reducing the net debt slightly below €6bn

* Sum of ‘Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets’ and ‘Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets’ as presented in the consolidated cash flow statement.
** The “Adjusted operating free cash flow” is operating free cash flow after deducting the repayment of lease debt.

The Group generated an adjusted operating free cash flow in the third quarter 2022 of 290 million euros, which is slightly higher than last year. This is the sixth quarter in a row that the adjusted operating free cash flow is positive.

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 737-800 WL PH-BCK (msn 62580) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 959255.

KLM aircraft photo gallery:

Neste to supply the Air France-KLM Group with more than 1 million tons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Neste Corporation issued this statement:

  • Neste to supply the Air France-KLM Group with more than 1,000,000 tons (approximately 1.26 billion liters) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ over a period of 8 years starting in 2023.
  • This SAF agreement is one of the largest of its kind in the aviation industry and supports the Air France-KLM Group’s commitment to a more sustainable aviation sector.
  • Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel.

The Air France-KLM Group (AF-KLM) and Neste have announced the expansion of their existing cooperation with a new strategic partnership for the supply of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to the Group. This new SAF agreement for a period of 8 years is one of the largest of its kind in the aviation industry to date. 

Fully committed to reducing its environmental impact, the Air France-KLM Group aims to reduce its CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019 – a target which has been submitted to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Its decarbonisation trajectory includes the incorporation of 10% SAF by 2030, alongside fleet renewal and eco-piloting. The contract with Neste, part of a first set of long-term supply agreements, constitutes a further step for the Group to achieve its 10% SAF incorporation targets. 

The agreement builds on SAF supply to the Air France-KLM Group which started in 2019 but the two companies have been working together for several years with KLM being one of the first airlines using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

“As the world’s leading producer of SAF, we are helping the aviation industry to work towards a more sustainable future, already today. This long-term collaboration with Air France-KLM shows how we are working together in a number of areas. By the end of next year, Neste will have an annual SAF production capacity of 1.5 million tons, ready to support the Air France-KLM Group and other airlines in Europe and across the globe,” says Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste.

Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an available solution today. As a drop-in fuel it can be used with existing aircraft engines and airport fuel infrastructure, requiring no new investment. Neste MY SAF is produced from 100% sustainably-sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. 

*) When used in neat form and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology

Top Copyright Photo: Air France Airbus A220-300 (CS300) F-HZUG (msn 55155) CDG (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 959225.

Air France aircraft slide show:

Air France resumes daily flights equipped with La Première to and from Singapore

Air France has made this announcement:

  • As of October 31, 2022, Air France will resume daily night flights equipped with its exclusive La Première suites by Boeing 777-300ER between Singapore and Paris-Charles de Gaulle;
  • Air France La Première guests receive an exclusive and personalized welcome and assistance at all times, from check-in to arrival.
  • For the winter 2022-23 season, Air France is increasing its global capacity to 9 daily frequencies between the two cities.

Starting on October 31, 2022, Air France will offer its most exclusive designer suite La Première on board a daily night flight operated by Boeing 777-300ER between Singapore and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. This aircraft offers only four private La Première suites.

On board the Boeing 777-300, each La Première suite has a wide seat that transforms into a horizontal bed more than two metres long, providing optimum relaxation. On departure from Paris, menus are signed by French Michelin-starred chefs and prepared with 100% French meat, dairy products and eggs, bread and pastries, as well as fish from sustainable fisheries. A vegetarian offer is also systematically available. On departure from Singapore, the triple Michelin-starred French chef Julien Royer designs tailor-made meals for Air France customers. With fine dining, a carefully selected wine and champagne list, a wide choice of entertainment on high-definition screens and attentive service, all guests travel in optimum conditions of comfort.

The La Première lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle

Before boarding at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or after landing in the French capital, Air France offers customers a unique and custom-designed experience with attention to every detail. Customers benefit from a VIP transfer, organized in partnership with Hertz, from Paris to the airport. At the airport, La Première guests are welcomed in a dedicated lounge. Designed by the architect Didier Lefort, the Air France La Première lounge is an exclusive space spanning 1,000 sq. m, offering a moment of calm and serenity, and the promise of an exceptional travel experience. The fine dining tradition is particularly in the spotlight. The menus and wine lists have been selected by French Chef Alain Ducasse and his teams. Customers will feel like they’re dining in a renowned restaurant thanks to individual table service and the most prestigious vintages from the Air France wine cellar. At the heart of this lounge, Air France now offers its customers a new beauty treatment centre in partnership with Sisley, the pioneering French phyto-cosmetology company. A moment of pleasure and well-being celebrating the French art of travel.

La Première guests also benefit from full access to Air France services, including exclusive check-in counters at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Dedicated staff ensure a pre-arranged, exclusive welcome, guaranteeing travelers a seamless airport experience. Customers are subsequently driven to the foot of the aircraft in exclusive cars, where they receive a special welcome from the crew.

New La Première Comfort Kit

Air France is offering a new comfort kit to each of its La Première customers. Inspired by a writing set, this elegant and timeless gift box is available in two colours that are characteristic of this prestigious travel suite – Air France red and pearl grey. The topstitching and embossed winged seahorse emblem, the company’s historic symbol, are a discreet nod to the designer codes of the La Première suites.

To create this kit, Air France has expanded its partnership with the French beauty brand Sisley, already present in the company’s La Première lounge, to offer guests a genuine moment of well-being during the flight. Intended as a customized and tailor-made offer for guests, the kit encloses a range of five products (sample size) carefully selected by the pioneering phyto-cosmetology company to offer a choice of two beauty care rituals. This kit also containing a La Première pen, a wooden comb, earplugs and a night mask can be taken home after the flight.

Air France is working on a new La Première cabin

In line with the French airline’s pledge to continue to offer the most exclusive and elegant service, widely known for its quality and excellence, Air France announced the development of a completely new La Première cabin. This new concept will be unveiled during the 2023/2024 European winter season. The future cabin will be the longest on the market, offering up to three modular configurations – a seat, a méridienne and a fully flat bed – that can be fully privatized for an even more exceptional journey. The new cabin will equip a larger number of aircraft than at present.

Air France flight schedule between Singapore – Paris-Charles de Gaulle

Valid from October 31, 2022 to March 25, 2023

Flight number

Route

Departure time

Arrival

time

Schedule

Aircraft

AF257

SIN-PAR

23:05

06:10+1

Daily

B777-300ER

AF256

PAR-SIN

20:45

16:35+1
  • Boeing B777-300 with 4 private suites in La Première, 58 seats in Business Class, 28 in Premium Economy and 206 in Economy class.

Flight number

Route

Departure time

Arrival

time

Schedule

Aircraft

AF255

SIN-PAR

10:45

17:50

Tue / Wed

B777-200ER

AF254

PAR-SIN

13:10

09:00+1

Mon / Tue
  • Boeing 777-200 with 28 seats in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy and 260 in Economy class.

Top Copyright Photo: Air France Boeing 777-328 ER F-GZNK (msn 39971) CDG (Manuel Negrerie). Image: 956109.

Air France aircraft slide show:

Air France to serve 171 destination from Paris CDG this winter

Air France made this announcement:

  • A level of activity close to winter 2019 ;
  • 171 destinations served worldwide including 5 new routes from Paris-Charles de Gaulle: New York-Newark (United States), Tromsø (Norway), Kittilä (Finland), Innsbruck and Salzburg (Austria) ;
  • First flights of the new long-haul Business seat on Boeing 777-300 ER in the coming weeks.

After a summer marked by strong demand for travel, Air France is continuing to reopen its global network. During the 2022-2023 winter season (November 2022 – March 2023), the airline will serve 171 destinations, including 86 long-haul and 85 short- and medium-haul. The company’s entire fleet will be in operation and capacity levels across the network will be close to those of winter 2019.

The end of the year will see the launch of Air France’s new long-haul cabins. The airline is pursuing its strategy of moving upmarket and is gradually installing a new Business seat which transforms into a real bed almost 2 metres long on 12 Boeing 777-300 ERs. A new sliding door makes it possible to completely privatise the seat area, preserving it from the rest of the cabin. The first flight will take place in the coming weeks to New York-JFK.

Long-haul: launch of Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Newark, resumption of Cape Town (South Africa) and Tokyo-Haneda (Japan)

Air France is pursuing its proactive policy in term of capacity in the most resilient geographical areas, including North America and Africa.

In North America, and for the second winter in a row, Air France will operate a direct service between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Montreal (Canada) from 22 October 2022 with two flights a week operated by Airbus A320.

As the leading airline on the Paris-New York route, Air France will launch a daily non-stop service between its Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub and New York-Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), the second largest international airport serving New York and the surrounding area, on 12 December 2022. This daily flight operated by Boeing 777-200 ER marks the return of Air France to Newark, the airline’s historic destination served directly until 2012. It will be in addition to the “Shuttle” service available between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK) with 6 daily flights operated by Air France and 2 by its Skyteam partner Delta Air Lines.

Finally, the Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Dallas summer route will be extended for the winter season with 3 flights per week operated by 777-200 ER.

In Africa, Air France will resume its flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Cape Town (South Africa) on 30 October 2022, suspended since the beginning of the Covid crisis. 3 weekly flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9. In addition to Cape Town, Air France operates 7 weekly flights to Johannesburg in South Africa.

NB: as part of the gradual reopening of Japan’s borders, Air France has resumed flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tokyo-Haneda (Japan), with 5 weekly flights operated by Boeing 787-9. This winter, Air France will fly from Paris to both Tokyo airports, with up to 5 weekly flights to Tokyo-Narita airport from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Short and medium-haul: focus on winter destinations with 4 new seasonal routes from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Austria, Norway and Finland

Winter 2022-2023 will be marked by an extension of Air France’s offer to winter destinations and North Africa.

From 30 October 2022, Air France will launch a new route between Paris-Orly and Casablanca, with one daily flight operated by Airbus A320. On the same date, the Nice-London Heathrow (UK) route, which until now has only been operated during the summer peak, will become an annual service, with a daily flight operated by Airbus A320.

Launched in 2021, the seasonal Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Rovaniemi (Finland) route will resume this year from 27 November with up to one daily flight operated by Airbus A320 during the Christmas period.

On 10 December 2022, four new destinations will join the Air France network:

  • Kittilä (Finland) and Tromsø (Norway) will both be served once a week by A320 and Airbus A319 respectively. Tromsø will be the most northerly destination on the Air France-KLM network.
  • Innsbruck and Salzburg (Austria), with respectively 2 and 1 weekly flight operated by Embraer 190 starting 10 December 2022.

Finally, the summer routes Paris-Orly – Tunis (Tunisia), Marseille – Algiers (Algeria), Toulouse – Algiers (Algeria) and Toulouse – Oran (Algeria) will be extended for the winter season.

This flight schedule is subject to change and remains subject to obtaining the necessary government authorisations. It will be implemented taking into account the health measures in force in the various countries or destinations served.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

Air France to launch Paris CDG – Newark flights in addition to JFK this winter

Air France made this announcement:

  • A nonstop daily flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and New York-Newark Liberty International airport, operated by Boeing 777-200 as from 12 December 2022.

As the leading airline on the Paris-New York route, Air France is continuing to increase its capacity between the two cities.

Starting on 12 December 2022, the airline will operate a year-round, non-stop daily service between its hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and New York-Newark Liberty (EWR), the second largest international airport to serve the New York metropolitan area, located approximately 18 miles away from Manhattan.

Flights will be operated by Boeing 777-200 with a capacity of 280 seats (40 in Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 216 in Economy), and equipped with a Wi-Fi connection.

Flight schedule (in local time):

AF062: Leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 12:30, arrives at 15:00
AF063: Leaves New York Newark Liberty at 17:05, arrives at 06:05 (the folllowing day)

This daily flight marks the return of Air France to Newark, a historic destination served by the airline with non-stop flights until 2012. It will come in addition to the “shuttle” service introduced between Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and New York-John F. Kennedy airport with 6 daily flights operated by Air France and 2 by its Skyteam alliance partner Delta Air Lines.

New York-Newark Liberty will be Air France’s 18th destination in North America this winter, along with Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York- JFK, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C in the United States, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, and Cancun and Mexico City in Mexico.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

Air France-KLM signs agreement with CFM International for the engine configuration of its future Airbus A320neo family fleet

Air France-KLM announced on July 5 the signing of an agreement with CFM International for the acquisition of 200 LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo.

This decision follows the Group’s order, last December, of 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft – with purchase rights for 60 additional aircraft, to renew the fleets of KLM and Transavia Netherlands, and to renew and expand the fleet of Transavia France.

Manufactured by CFM International – a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines – the LEAP-1A, contributes as a latest-generation engine to the global performance and efficiency of the Airbus A320neo aircraft family.

CFM International already provides engines for the Group’s Boeing 737 NG (CFM56-7B) and Airbus A320ceo (CFM56-5B) fleets.

Air France-KLM enters into exclusive discussions with Apollo for a 500 million euros capital injection into an affiliate owning spare engines

Air France-KLM issued this statement:

Following announcement of the second step of equity strengthening measures at the Full Year 2021 results presentation, Air France-KLM announces that it has entered into exclusive discussions with Apollo Global Management regarding the injection of 500 million euros of capital to an operating affiliate of Air France, owning of a pool of spare engines of Air France dedicated to its Engeneering and Maintenance Activity.

The proceeds of the transaction would enable Air France-KLM and Air France to partially redeem the French State perpetual bonds, in accordance with the European Commission’s “Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current Covid-19 outbreak”, as well as facilitate the financing of future spare engine acquisitions under Air France’s fleet renewal program.

The structure will incur no change on operational and social aspects. Therefore, there will be no change in the way to use the spare engines, and no impact on Air France or Air France-KLM employees contracts.

The capital injected would be accounted as equity under IFRS, hence strengthening Air France-KLM’s and Air France’s balance sheet.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

CMA CGM Group and Air France-KLM Group announced a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market

CMA CGM Group has made this announcement:

  • Industrial cooperation combines Air France-KLM’s air transport experience and know-how with CMA CGM’s global supply chain expertise and assets;
  • CMA CGM and Air France-KLM to jointly sell their air freight capacity, providing customers with more options for their transportation needs;
  • CMA CGM to become a reference shareholder in Air France-KLM.

The CMA CGM Group and Air France-KLM Group today announced that they have signed a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market[1]. This exclusive partnership will see both parties combine their complementary cargo networks, full freighter capacity and dedicated services in order to build an even more competitive offer thanks to the unrivalled know-how and global footprint of Air France-KLM and CMA CGM.

A 10-year exclusive strategic commercial partnership to strengthen their air cargo offering

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM share a strong ambition to invest and grow sustainably in the air freight business.

The agreement will have an initial duration of 10  years. Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will  join and exclusively operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of the respective airlines consisting initially of a fleet of 10 full-freighter aircraft, and an additional combined 12 aircraft on order:

  • 4 full-freighter aircraft at CMA CGM Air Cargo (with outstanding orders for an additional 8 aircraft, 2 of which may be operated by Air France-KLM in the future),
  • 6 full-freighter aircraft at Air France-KLM Group based at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (with outstanding orders for an additional 4 aircraft)[2].

This new commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including over 160 long-haul aircraft.

The partnership will leverage both partners’ respective global sales teams, presenting one voice to the customer.

The strategic commercial partnership is expected to generate significant revenue synergies including the joint design of the full freighter networks and enhanced products and services mix opportunities. It will help meet customers’ ever-increasing need for more integrated and resilient supply chains and will leverage Air France-KLM’s vast existing franchise, experience and capabilities in air freight, backed by a global cargo network. CMA CGM will mobilize its large commercial network and global logistics platform and will complete this offer with innovative logistics and multimodal solutions, particularly in sea and land transport.

CMA CGM Group to become a reference shareholder of Air France-KLM Group

As part of this long-term exclusive partnership, CMA CGM will reinforce its commitment in the air freight industry by becoming a new reference shareholder in Air France-KLM. CMA CGM has the firm intention to take up to 9% of Air France-KLM’s ex-post share capital, for a period consistent with the implementation of the strategic commercial partnership.

This investment could be made as part of the contemplated capital increase of Air France-KLM, as announced on February 17th, 2022[3]. Air France-KLM’s main shareholders will support a resolution for the appointment of one board member representing CMA CGM at the next shareholders’ meeting (May 24th, 2022). Such appointment, if approved by the shareholders’ meeting, would be subject to the completion of CMA CGM’s investment.

Air France-KLM and CMA CGM: two global players with European roots and strong sustainability commitments

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM are leaders in the transportation and logistics industry. They share an ambition to increase the sustainability and have both committed to Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

CMA CGM accelerates its strategic transformation into a global logistics leader

  • With this industrial cooperation, the CMA CGM Group is moving forward with its plan to develop and provide end-to-end shipping and logistics solutions in order to support its customers’ supply chains. The Group announced, during the last three years, the acquisitions of CEVA Logistics, Ingram Micro’s Commerce & Lifecycle Services (CLS), Colis Privé and GEFCO. With these operations, CMA CGM have accelerated its strategic development into a global logistics leader.
  • In March 2021, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, created CMA CGM Air Cargo, a whole new operational and commercial arm specialized in air freight. CMA CGM Air Cargo provides the Group’s customers with an offering that harnesses the tight fit between shipping and logistics. This air cargo division has been expanding rapidly, thanks in particular to the entry into service of several full-freighter aircraft, and orders for new aircraft which will significantly boost the capacity in the months and years to come.
  • The CMA CGM Group, a global leader in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, is present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, which transports 400,000 tons of air freight and 2.8 million tons of land freight each year, and its air freight division CMA CGM Air Cargo, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Air France-KLM is one of the leading airline groups in the field of airfreight

  • It carries an extensive Full Freighter and Wide Body Belly (WBB) aircraft network built around two global hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, both fitted with state-of-the-art cargo facilities and serving 295 destinations across 110 countries.
  • Air France-KLM has teams present in 116 stations covering a total network of 390 handling stations spread over all continents, making its commercial network one of the strongest in the airfreight industry. Air France-KLM has a long-standing experience and know-how in the field of specialized cargo (pharmaceuticals, perishables, express, etc.) and has developed one of the most advanced digital service solutions in the air freight industry.
  • Air France-KLM runs a unique and industry-leading digital distribution platform where customers can make bookings and manage their business 24/7.  It also leads the way in the field of sustainability, having introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Program in December 2021.

 

[1] This deal remains subject to approval by the relevant regulators and consultation of employee representatives.

[2] Operated by Air France, KLM and Martinair.

[3] The launch of this potential capital increase remains subject to market conditions and necessary legal and regulatory approvals.

CMA CGM Air Cargo aircraft photo gallery: