Aigle Azur, France's second-largest air carrier, has ambitious expansion targets. " We spent seven months working on our turnaround, overhauling our organisation and our business model," explains Frantz Yvelin, Chairman of the company. 2018 is the year we reinvented ourselves with the aim of being a hybrid carrier, with a "low fare" strategy but with a gradual move upmarket in our service. "The new CEO's determination will be expressed through two new strategic axes: long-haul and the establishment of alliances.
On the long-haul side, Aigle Azur has taken delivery of two Airbus A330-200s which will offer an economy class, an economy+ class and a business class, the latter comprising seats that can be converted into perfectly horizontal beds. The two aircraft will make their debut on short- and medium-haul routes before entering long-haul service in the summer. Aigle Azur is planning the launch - subject to the green light from the authorities - of three flights a week to Beijing from 21 June and to Sao Paulo-Viracopos, in Campinas, from 5 July. " This will make us the first airline to link Orly with China and Brazil." says Frantz Yvelin.
These two destinations also correspond to a strategy of rapprochement with Hainan Airlines in China and Azul in Brazil, two airlines which have a common denominator with Aigle Azur: they are both owned by the Chinese group HNA and the American investor David Neeleman. " We will of course be exploiting synergies with these two carriers, facilitating connections to our respective networks. For example, we will offer an excellent connection between Sao Paulo and Moscow" Frantz Yvelin continues.
While the intercontinental route marks a real strategic break, according to the Chairman of Aigle Azur, this activity will complement the short and medium-haul network, the carrier's spearhead. " We will be strengthening our service to Europe with a second daily flight to Berlin and the opening in September ofa daily flight to Milan Malpensa. We will also be launching seasonal flights between Marseille and Beirut between June and September" adds the CEO of Aigle Azur.
However, the airline does not wish to develop its markets alone. In addition to its long-haul cooperation with Azul and Hainan Airlines, Aigle Azur is strengthening its cooperation with Corsair to Bamako - now served by five weekly flights, three of which are operated by Aigle Azur aircraft - and with the use of the airline's lounge at Orly. At the same time, Aigle Azur intends to coordinate its European network with the Caribbean network ofAir Caraïbes. Finally, a major partnership has also been set up with TAP Portugal which offers an unrivalled service on the France-Portugal route, with a dozen daily flights between the two countries. These grand ambitions are just the beginning, according to Frantz Yvelin. " We can no longer be called the 'Sleeping Beauty'." he jokes.
