Air France-KLM Hints at Further Fleet Changes After Sealing Union Deal
Photo Credit: Air France will get 60 new Airbus A220s. The carrier might follow this up with some different narrowbody aircraft. Airbus
Skift Take
Under newish CEO Ben Smith, Air France-KLM has improved its relationship with its unions. This new agreement will make it much easier for its French unit in particular to compete with low-cost rivals.
Air France will explore the use of narrow-body aircraft on midrange routes after sealing a new deal with its largest pilot union.
Pilots unions typically negotiate what are called “scope clauses” that dictate the size of jets a pilot can fly. The airline had previously been unable to use smaller jets on routes more than three hours from Paris, meaning it had to use less economical aircraft — but under the new agreement, this restriction will cease to exist.
Parent company Air France-KLM announced Tuesday a new aircraft order for its French unit, which included a firm commitment for
