Driving local development

► Contributing to the areas around our hubs

Developing the local economy
Through its international air transport offering, Air France fosters the creation of activities in the areas surrounding its hubs and, more broadly, throughout France. In addition, the areas in the vicinity of Roissy-CDG and Orly airport are attractive development areas for large corporations and SMEs alike, which benefit from the presence of an international airport and a dynamic business environment.

As the principal private sector employer at its Roissy-CDG and Paris-Orly hubs, Air France contributes directly to economic growth and job creation in those areas, employing 47,000 people out of the total 118,000-strong workforce at Roissy-CDG and Orly airports.

As a contributor to local economic growth the Company also contributes to important discussions on the programs that will shape the areas around its hubs over the next two decades. These include the discussions focused on the “Greater Roissy” project, and the Grand Paris-Express, the future Greater Paris mass-transit network.

In late 2010, Air France made a significant contribution to the public debate on the Grand Paris project by spelling out the vital importance of excellent urban transport links serving the Paris airports, for passengers and airport employees alike.

Because it is the first and last link in the overall travel chain, such a network is not only an indispensable complement, but also a key global competitiveness factor for French companies.

~ 47,000 staff work for Air France
at its Roissy-CDG and Paris-Orly hubs

► Meeting the need for mobility
Air transport has become an essential component of a globalized economy. It meets the requirements of businesses for movement to and from global markets, as well as for companies’ communication needs. It also meets the mobility requirements of households, which are increasingly opening up to the wider world. This is because there is still no serious alternative to medium and long-haul air transport.

What’s more, air transport is essential when it comes to the urgent delivery of essential goods and services such as emergency repairs, or the transport of human organs or perishable goods.