Initiative aimed at evolving Air France’s domestic flight service to and from Paris by 2026

The rise of videoconferencing, the drop in domestic business travel and the growing shift toward rail (under the combined effect of government sobriety recommendations and corporate CSR policies) are leading to a structural fall in demand on Air France's domestic point-to-point network. Between 2019 and 2023, traffic on domestic routes out of Paris-Orly fell by 40%, and even by 60% for day return trips.

In light of this situation, the Air France Group today presents a project to employee representative bodies to adapt its domestic service to and from Paris by summer 2026.

Following this development, connections to and from Paris would be operated according to the following principles: 

• Air France would operate all its domestic and international flights from its Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub. The only exception, as per Public Service Order (PSO) guidelines: Air France would continue to operate service from/to Corsica out of Paris-Orly. As such, Air France would honour its commitments. Air France submitted a joint bid with Air Corsica for the renewal of this PSO from 2024, thereby demonstrating its commitment to a sustained service to Corsica. 
• Transavia would become the Air France Group’s reference operator from Paris-Orly. Transavia would stay the course of its development, namely thanks to its growing fleet of new Airbus A320neo family aircraft. These latest generation aircraft offer a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, as well as a 50% reduction of the noise footprint.

Between now and 2026, Air France would continue serving Toulouse, Marseille and Nice, as well as the French Overseas departments from Paris-Orly[1]. 

As the adaptation process moves forward, Air France would bolster the number of flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France and Saint-Denis de La Réunion, thus facilitating international connections and strengthening the connectivity of the French regions and Overseas territories. The Air France Group also intends, after consultation with the relevant bodies, to position Transavia on services to Toulouse, Marseille and Nice from Paris-Orly airport from summer 2026. 

The Group's capacity between Paris and Toulouse, Marseille and Nice would be maintained at 90% of its current level, and at 100% for routes between Paris and the French overseas territories.

The initiative as a whole would help Air France maintain a strong brand presence in all the markets it serves, and be more responsive to rapidly changing travel demand. It would optimise the use of each airline's resources, make the offer clearer for customers and improve Air France's competitiveness.

A limited impact on employment, avoiding any forced dismissals 

Regarding employees based in the French regions, and given that part of the flights currently operating out of Paris-Orly would be redeployed to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, the impact this initiative would have on jobs in Toulouse, Marseille and Nice would be limited, and would be managed solely on the basis of voluntary transfers and departures. The flight crew bases at these stations would be maintained.

Regarding employees based in Paris-Orly, staffing needs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle will be such by 2026 to guarantee everyone an equivalent position at the Roissy site. Mobility options on the Paris-Orly platform would be considered first.

A process of information and consultation with employee representative bodies will begin very shortly, along with negotiations with representative trade unions, in order to define the best way to support all employees affected by these changes.

[1] Air France has been serving Overseas France from Paris-Orly and Paris-Charles de Gaulle since 2020. As of the end of October 2023, flights to Cayenne (French Guiana) will be out of Paris-Charles de Gaulle only.