What does the transatlantic route represent for Air France in terms of passengers and revenue?
D. P. - The 19 destinations covered by our routes to North America generated sales of 2.7 billion euros in 2006-2007, compared with 2.4 billion in 2005-2006. Our occupancy rate is also very satisfactory, with a load factor of 86 %. This is due to very strong demand from business travellers in North America, particularly to New York, Houston, Miami, Washington and Chicago. We are also seeing an increase in traffic via the KLM hub at Amsterdam-Schiphol, particularly from the French regions.
The joint venture with Delta was set up in 2008. Will it eventually include all Air France-Delta routes on the transatlantic route?
D. P. - The joint venture agreement between Air France and Delta comprises two stages. From April 2008 to March 2010, the geographical scope of this agreement will include non-stop transatlantic flights operated by Air France and Delta between Paris-CDG, Paris-Orly and Lyon on the one hand, and Atlanta, Cincinnati, New York and Salt Lake City on the other. It will also include the flights that the two airlines will be launching between London-Heathrow and the United States. From April 2010, the agreement will be extended to all Air France and Delta transatlantic routes integrating Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will include flights between Los Angeles and Tahiti. As part of this agreement, Air France will use its code on European routes operated by Delta outside France.
Why did you choose London-Los Angeles as your first transatlantic route outside France?
D. P. - From London, Los Angeles is the second most important US destination after New York in terms of potential point-to-point traffic. New York will be served by Delta from Heathrow, as Delta has a hub at JFK. Los Angeles will be served by Air France because it has significant activity there, with 20 weekly flights from Paris-CDG and four from Papeete.
