2013-03-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — In continuing the 2012-13 winter schedule, Air France-KLM has opted for strict control of its capacity*, which will undergo only moderate growth in the 2013 summer season (March 31-October 26). In comparison with summer 2012, long-haul capacity will be raised by 2.4% and medium-haul capacity will be reduced by 2.1%.
THE AIR FRANCE SCHEDULE
Stable capacity* at +0.3%: +2.0% on long-haul and -5.3% on medium-haul
Given the still uncertain economic environment and the measures being implemented within the framework of the Transform 2015 plan, Air France is posting stable capacity* (+0.3%) compared with summer 2012. Capacity is increasing on the long-haul network (+2.0%), with targeted increases in capacity on the emerging markets: Africa (+8.1%), Asia-Pacific (+5.6%) and Latin America (+3.4%).
The reorganization of the medium-haul network is still underway with a -5.3% reduction in capacity. Moreover, the capacity of the regional airlines BritAir, Régional and Airlinair are being redeployed within the airline HOP !, which will begin operating flights on 31 March 2013.
Pursuit of the measures undertaken within the framework of the Transform 2015 plan
Following the early adoption of certain measures during winter 2012-2013, all the actions decided as part of Transform 2015 will be implemented in summer 2013.
- Controlled growth in capacity
On its long-haul network, the Company is applying the strategic lines defined by the Transform 2015 plan and intends to increase its economic efficiency.
Growth is thus being targeted in areas offering strong potential and mainly concerns the opening of new routes (Montevideo, Kuala Lumpur and Minneapolis), and increased frequencies (Bangkok, Guangzhou, Libreville or Havana, for example).
- Increased productivity
In an aim to increase operational efficiency and improve the quality of service for customers, the departure and arrival times of long-haul flights are being adapted at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub. Early morning arrival times in particular will be increasingly staggered to facilitate connections while optimizing the use of the airport’s resources. This measure, successfully tested during the winter season, is being extended this summer.
Productivity gains are also being made possible by increasing the number of medium-haul aircraft rotations at Paris-Orly and Paris-Charles de Gaulle: certain flights departing Paris-CDG will be transferred to Paris-Orly (one daily frequency to Istanbul, Casablanca and Rome); the turnaround time has also been shortened. As a result, at Paris-Orly, average aircraft use will be increased by one hour per day.
- Seasonal character of the provincial bases’ schedule
In continuing the winter schedule during which certain services have been suspended, schedules will be adjusted to reflect changing circumstances on departure from the provincial bases. Numerous routes are operated on a seasonal basis, i.e. only operated during periods where demand is high, in July-August. Some services are increased during the summer period. On the other hand, certain routes where demand is lower are suspended or the number of flights are decreased.
- 2013, a key year for the reorganization of the medium-haul network
2013 marks a turning point in the reorganization of the Air France medium-haul network. To ensure greater economic and operational efficiency, since 1 January 2013, the Company has reorganized its activity into two separate entities: flights departing from the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub and point-to-point operations departing from Paris-Orly and the provincial bases.
Alongside the schedule operated by Air France, the major transformation of the medium-haul network is underway. The airline HOP!, launched at the end of January 2013, will begin operating its first flights during the 2013 summer season. A total of 104 destinations will be served by regional aircraft (seating 48 to100 passengers) sporting the colours of the new airline.
As part of the medium-haul reorganization, Transavia France is continuing to expand with the addition of 3 new aircraft in its fleet during the first few months of 2013.
LONG-HAUL SCHEDULE: +2.0%
North America: targeted capacity on routes offering potential
In North America, capacity is down by 2.0%.
The launch of the seasonal service to Minneapolis (May to September) allows to increase frequencies to this Delta hub by adding an Air France-operated daily flight by A340 to the flight already operated by Delta. Air France is also increasing capacity to Los Angeles with the addition of two weekly frequencies operated by Boeing 777.
The flight that served Mexico during the peak period, from June to August, has been suspended, to allow the aircraft to be put to optimum use throughout the season. Mexico will continue to be served by daily flights by Boeing 747.
Service to Orlando, suspended since 3 September 2012, will not be resumed during the summer.
Latin America: stronger Air France presence
In Latin America, capacity is up by 3.4%.
Service to Buenos Aires is being operated by a larger capacity aircraft. This increased capacity is supported by the opening of the new route to Montevideo as a continuation of Buenos Aires, with five weekly frequencies. Buenos Aires will continue to be operated on a daily basis. Montevideo will be the 15th destination served by Air France-KLM, a leader on the continent.
Capacity to Santiago de Chile will also increase with the use of the larger-sized Boeing 777-300 three times weekly, with flights operated by Boeing 777-200 the other days.
The day flight to Rio de Janeiro will be operated 6 times weekly instead of 7, with a total of 13 weekly flights.
Asia: capacity driven by the region’s dynamic situation
Asia, where capacity is up by +5.6%, is one of the main driving forces of the Company’s growth.
Air France is opening the Paris-Kuala Lumpur route, served by 3 weekly night flights by Boeing 777-200.
On flights to Guangzhou, capacity is now daily thanks to the addition of two weekly frequencies by Boeing 777-200.
Air France is also increasing capacity to Bangkok, with the addition of one weekly frequency by B777-300, with a total of 4 weekly frequencies.
Service to Ho-Chi-Minh is being adjusted, with 4 weekly frequencies operated by B777-200 instead of 3. The leg on to Phnom Penh which was operated during summer 2012 is suspended but continues to be operated by Thai Airways as part of a code-share agreement with Air France.
Africa: strong expansion in West Africa
Africa has posted the highest growth with capacity up by +8.1%.
Service to Libreville, previously served 5 times weekly, will become daily.
After obtaining traffic rights, 3 weekly frequencies to Abidjan, operated by Airbus A340, complement the daily flight already operated by B777-300.
Air France is also increasing capacity to Nouakchott, served 4 times weekly instead of 3.
On the other hand, Air France is reducing capacity to Bamako served 6 times weekly by Airbus A330 instead of 7 during summer 2012.
The new services announced in the 2012-13 winter season are being extended in summer 2013:
Niamey will be served 5 times weekly instead of 4, by Airbus A340 and the Company will operate a daily service to Ouagadougou (operated 2 times weekly with non-stop flights and 5 times weekly as a continuation of/as an extension of the flight to Niamey).
Middle East, Caribbean and Indian Ocean: a logic of adapted capacity
In the Caribbean, capacity is up by +2.8%; it is down by -6.4% in the Indian Ocean area.
Air France is increasing service to Havana, with the addition of a weekly frequency: service is now daily by Boeing 777-300.
Air France is also increasing capacity to the Dominican Republic: Air France will offer 4 weekly flights to Punta Cana and San Domingo by B777-300 compared with 3 frequencies in summer 2012.
Flights to and from Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France out of Paris-Charles de Gaulle will be transferred to Paris-Orly as from 13 May 2013.
Air France is changing capacity to Mauritius, by removing one weekly frequency, with the Company operating a total of three weekly frequencies by Boeing 777-300.
In the Middle East, the Company is pursuing its summer 2012 schedule. In line with a permanent logic of adapting to changes in the political situation, Air France is reducing seat capacity by 1.9%.
MEDIUM-HAUL CAPACITY: -5.3%
Readjusted frequencies on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Air France has added a daily frequency to Algiers (since December 2012) and Tel Aviv.
The CDG-Belgrade service has been suspended since 4 March 2013. One daily frequency to Pisa, Dublin, Bilbao, Madrid, Sofia, Toulouse, Munich, Stuttgart, Vienna, Prague and Athens is being suspended. .Air France is also decreasing service to Billund, Bristol, Cologne, Ljubljana and Zagreb to one daily frequency.
The code share with JAT is being maintained. As from 2 April 2013, Air France will link Strasbourg to its hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle by rail services, with an Air France flight number, in collaboration with the SNCF French railways. Four daily frequencies will be offered.
Increased flight activity on departure from Paris-Orly
As part of the aim to increase rotations at Orly, Air France is transferring one daily frequency to Istanbul, Casablanca and Rome from Paris-CDG to Paris-Orly.
In continuation of the winter schedule, service to Brest is also being increased from 6 daily frequencies (5 Airbus and 1 CRJ-1000) to 8 frequencies operated by CRJ-1000 by HOP! on behalf of Air France.
Air France is resuming operation of the Orly-Barcelona service with its own aircraft and crew with one daily frequency by Airbus instead of 3 daily frequencies by CRJ.
Air France is suspending one daily frequency to Strasbourg and Nantes.
The Orly-Berne, Lyon-Tunis and Marseille-Milan routes are suspended.
As part of the new public service delegation governing service to Corsica, the Figari route is being fully operated by Air Corsica.
Provincial Bases: seasonal character of traffic
On departure from Marseille, service on routes to Athens and Moscow will increase in July-August. Casablanca, Copenhagen and Beirut will only be served during this peak period.
However, frequencies to Brest, Tunis, Athens and Istanbul are being decreased. The Marseille-Hamburg service is being suspended.
In the same way, on departure from Toulouse, frequencies are being increased during peak periods to Athens, Malta and Casablanca. Flights to Prague, Berlin, Malaga and Naples will only operate during this period. Air France is decreasing capacity to Hamburg, Tunis, Athens and Istanbul. Milan-Malpensa and Vienna will no longer be served out of Toulouse.
Finally, on departure from Nice, additional frequencies will be offered to Venice and Tel Aviv, whereas Naples, Tunis and Athens will only be served in July and August. Frequencies to Lyon, Nantes, Lille and Venice are being suspended.
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