Le April 30th was celebrated by French bee. The low-cost carrier, a member of the privately-owned Dubreuil group, has become the first French airline to operate non-stop scheduled flights between Paris-Orly andLos Angeles International Airport.
" It's a development that would never have occurred to us a few years ago.. Within the Dubreuil Group's aviation business, we have a pool of airlines with a fleet of 17 aircraft and a network in the United States" says Jean-Paul Dubreuil, head of the Dubreuil Group, with pride.
Long-haul low-cost was a real gamble. And it seems to have succeeded. The French bee model, a long-haul low-cost service, has found its audience. This is particularly the case on long-standing routes to French overseas departments and territories. " French bee now represents 20% of the Réunion market. While our arrival on Orly-Papeete via San Francisco has revitalised this market which was rather sluggish due to very high prices. We have reduced prices by 30% on the destination" says Jean-Paul Dubreuil.
The business travel market continues to shrink sharply, mainly because companies are putting the brakes on their business travel activities.
The company is also one of the first to benefit from the post-covid travel recovery. " The idea of making up for not being able to travel during the pandemic is now making itself felt among consumers. And this need is all the stronger on the leisure segment and the VFR market ("Visit Friends & Relatives"). It is the fastest to emerge from the crisis. The business market, on the other hand, continues to shrink sharply due in particular to the disincentives to business travel put in place by companies" says Marc Rochet, Chairman of French bee.
French bee's strength lies in the fact that it is a great flexibility in the face of greater economic instability. " We keep a very strict eye on costs, whatever they may be. Of course, we won't operate a link if we know we're burning cash." Marc Rochet insists.
The United States, the market of the future
In this way, the company has integrated new consumer behaviour. " Decision-making times for travellers have fallen sharply, from an average of 7 months for long-haul flights to less than three months.. And we know how to deal with this because we make full use of digital technology. For example, we are seeing excellent results from our new Orly-Newark route thanks to online sales. With a high percentage of American passengers" says the Chairman of French bee.
The United States is the new conquest market for French low-cost carriers. After San Francisco and Newark, French bee has just launched its new Orly-Los Angeles route. " We know that there is strong demand on the France-California route. And what's more, we took advantage of the absence of Asian airlines in Los Angeles to secure some excellent slots with a presence at the Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles" says Marc Rochet.
Three weekly flights between Orly and LAX in Airbus A350-1000 with a two-class product including Premium Class.. The frequency will increase to six weekly flights in July with a 2.50pm take-off for a 5.15pm arrival in Los Angeles. On the return leg, the flight takes off at 7.45pm for an arrival in Paris after 3.30pm.
But French bee is not stopping there. Despite soaring fuel prices - which are likely to result in higher ticket prices for 15% -, the carrier is thinking expansion. French bee has announced a new Orly-Miami route.. From 15 Decemberthe carrier will offer three weekly frequencies. This date will coincide with the addition of a sixth Airbus A350-1000 to the fleet.
Miami and the new A350-1000 will mark the culmination of French bee's growth. " We'll then be at full cruising speed in our development. In fact, it's already more than I could have imagined." says Jean-Paul Dubreuil. But who knows what the future will hold.
