Air France-KLM is planning to establish a “more competitive” long-haul airline in order to win back customers from Gulf carriers, announced Jean-Marc Janaillac, Air France’s new boss, saying the firm is “battling on all fronts”, BBC reported.
The name of the new business has not been announced yet, however, Air France has been reported to be planning economy and business travel services on new and reopened routes, according to BBC. Pilots and crew are foreseen to be hired on different terms from the main company, in order to compete against lower-cost rivals, BBC added.
“The status quo is not an option. We must launch a new dynamic to return to a leadership position in our markets,” Janaillac said, according to BBC. Air France plans for the new airline to have ten long-haul planes by 2020, BBC added.