The CEO of the Air France-KLM group, Benjamin Smith, considered this Saturday that the return to normal activity after the coronavirus crisis will take “at least two years” and that for “a long time” he will present an offer reduced flights.
“Currently, the activity of Air France is only between 2 and 3% of the normal April program,” he said in an interview in the economic newspaper “Les Échos”, where he described that return to normal levels as difficult “before two years, maybe even more. “
“We must wait for the reopening of the European borders, possibly towards the end of the summer, to be able to relaunch our long-haul program, which is summarized at the moment for some repatriation and cargo flights. It will also be necessary to reopen the borders of important countries for us as the United States, “he said.
Smith added that “for a long time” they must reduce the frequency of their journeys.
However, he stressed that in prominent destinations such as Tokyo, Los Angeles or New York they have the flexibility to adapt and maintain daily flights, for example by replacing the A380s with devices that carry fewer passengers.
The executive admitted that although many companies will not resist the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, his priority is to consolidate Air France’s position in the French market, “which still offers important possibilities”, and convert its regional subsidiary HOP! in a profitable company.
Smith considered that the bank and French state loans worth 7,000 million euros announced this Friday give them the means to go through the most difficult period in the coming months, during which liquidity was at risk of reaching a “critical” level.
That figure will also make it easier for them to comply with their transformation plan, presented in November.
“We must make this crisis an opportunity to make structural reforms that some competitors have already done,” Smith said of a roadmap that has been set to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, continue to renew its fleet, and use it in as much as possible biofuels.
The CEO promised that the social impact of the transformation of Air France and a lasting drop in activity “will be as minimal as possible.”
“We are a responsible company and our workers are our main asset. The last thing we want is to lose it,” he said in “Les Échos”, where he stressed that voluntary exit plans are being considered at first and of training and changes for which remain.
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