Patrick AlexandreChief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM Commercial, Sales and Alliances and Zoran JelkicGeneral Manager, Market France, took stock of the situation on Tuesday at the Paris Motor Show. IFTM Top Resaon the company's development. In an economic climate troubled by industrial unrest in the first half of the year, the carrier has held up well in the end. " Our performance was good, and we increased our market share in France. In fact, we continue to benefit from a dynamic travel marketBSP up 2% between January and August "says Zoran Jelkic.
In order to consolidate the confidence of its natural market, France, the carrier continues to innovate through its commercial offer and its services, wishing to offer its customers a range of simpler and more homogeneous products.
" The development of our joint ventures with Delta Airlines and soon with VirginThis will enable us to consolidate our position on the North Atlantic by offering companies and business passengers a fully globalized fare offer and frequencies. This will mean 300 flights a day between Europe and North America, representing 31% of total capacity on this route. "says Patrick Alexandre.
The other joint ventures with China Eastern, Jet Airways and GOL are also enabling Air France-KLM to assert its pre-eminence on the Chinese and Indian markets as well as in India. " We have, for example, 1,000 passengers a day travelling between India and the United States via Paris or Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Amsterdam thanks to our strengthened agreement", describes Patrick Alexandre. "In Brazil, the opening of Paris-Fortaleza, a major hub for GOL, enables us to cover the needs of 99% of our passengers to Brazil. A quarter of our passengers in Brazil are now connecting on a GOL flight. "he adds.
The South American offer will continue to expand with the establishment of a new JV between Air France-KLM and Air Europa via Spain. " We continue to sign new alliances, but only if they bring a significant improvement in the travel offer for our passengers." says Patrick Alexandre.
To make the Air France product even more attractive to business travellersthe company launched its new Corporate Benefits Program at the IFTM Top Resa event. Aimed at companies, it offers additional benefits. For example, contracts incorporating the Corporate Benefits Program enable companies to change the name of the travelling employee at the last minute if necessary, proposes the priority handling from booking to boarding and provides the company with a personalised account manager to manage flights. The programme also integrates the Hop and JOON.
In France, corporate contracts are valid on all eight airlines: the five Air France group airlines plus Delta, China Eastern and Jet Airways. " We have also extended the validity of contracts, a relatively unique facility in the world of business travel. They are generally valid for three years "adds Zoran Jelkic.
The combined Air France/booking.com product is already producing very significant results
A new option has also been available to Air France-KLM passengers since August: they can book a hotel with their flight via the Booking.com. According to Patrick Alexandre, the hotel booking platform will very soon be available on the Air France application and will also make it possible to Collect miles automatically. " The combined Air France/booking.com product is already producing very significant results "says Patrick Alexandre.
Finally, Air France presented its new long-haul economy seat. " We have worked to improve the comfort of our economy class seat. The seat is wider, the distance between rows is almost 79 cm with a 118° recline, and the video screens are wider. "says Zoran Jelkic.
