Air France to retreat from Bangkok
Published: 24/10/2011 - Filed under: News »
From summer 2012 Air France will more than halve the number of flights it operates to the Thai capital. At the same time it will cut the number of business class seats it places on the market from 35 a day to 42 a week.
Right now the French flag-carrier operates a daily B777 between Paris CDG and Bangkok but starting on March 25 next year the number of flights will be cut to just three a week.
In effect Air France will downgrade Bangkok from a business to a holiday destination.
The carrier has become, perhaps, the first European airline to operate a leisure-configured plane on a scheduled route to a major Asian city.
The existing B777-200ER rostered for this route is fitted with 35 business, 24 premium economy and 250 economy class seats.
From the start of the summer 2012 timetable on March 25, Air France will operate a two-class B747 fitted with 40 business and 396 economy seats.
But starting on May 7, that plane is switched to a two-class B777-300ER accommodating 14 seats in business and an astonishing 458 seats in economy class. (At the time of writing, airfrance.com does not display a premium economy cabin for the route in summer 2012).
The B777-300ER features Air France’s “Loisirs” or leisure configuration with dense 10-across seating in economy class. The aircraft in question is normally rostered for the carrier’s holiday flights to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean.
Why the downgrade? Long distance flights to Asia are costly to operate unless you can obtain a profitable number of premium class passengers. Cutting flight frequency and switching to a high-density economy layout would suggest that Air France is losing market share to rivals.
The number of flights operated by the major European airlines has either declined or stagnated over the past decade even though passenger numbers have risen (see Route of the Month, February 2011).
One reason could be that the four main Gulf airlines (which operate indirect services via their hubs) have stolen a slice of the European carriers’ market. Consider that Emirates flies no fewer than four times a day between Dubai and Bangkok with one service operated by an A380. Qatar operates three times a day, Etihad twice daily while Oman Air has a single daily flight.
Air France has yet to comment officially on the move. But the carrier’s ex-CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon had previously blamed the Gulf carriers for stealing market share. Mr Gourgeon told Bloomberg last year that the European airlines may struggle to maintain efficient connections as Middle Eastern carriers lure more passengers away.
It would seem, in the case of Air France at least, that Mr Gourgeon’s prediction is coming true.
For more information visit airfrance.com.
Report by Alex McWhirter
Read more about...
Bookmark with:
COMMENTS »
DClinPsy - 24/10/2011 15:45
The problem is not the gulf carriers, but AF's cabin configuration, who in the right mine can survive that horrible 10 across seating for 12 hours flight? Petite models and baby?
How about upgrading their seats? Flat-bed J and better Economy class?
Pierre-Henri Gourgeon should not blames others for his own incapability to adapt to this ever-changing market. Hope the new CEO can deliver better. Will fly AF for the first time next year and will decide whether to stick with BA and OW or switch to AF and ST.
Swissdiver - 24/10/2011 17:15
10 seats across, 17" seat width... It might work in an almost monopoly situation like to the French Caribbean islands. But to a highly competitive destination, and unless AF is pricing really aggressively, I doubt...
dutchie - 27/10/2011 09:51
I agree with earlier comment that European airlines (especially AF/KLM) should try to improve their on board comfort, and use the right airplane for the right market. Seen the upcoming Middle east carriers they can not sit down and relax. Still the advantage of flying AF/KLM is their route network and direct flights. But for how long!! Lufthansa and Swiss are right now the only real premium west European airliners due to their continue upgrade of economy,business and first class product and the right choise of planes (like the new 747-Interc.)
RPK-Cheshire - 27/10/2011 16:45
Have flown this route a number of times with AF (MAN/CDG/BKK) over several years (most recently a few months ago) and the flights have always been full.
Agree with a previous comment that their new configuration will just lead a further loss of market share.
alistairNicoll - 28/10/2011 10:36
Interested to see that AF is not chosing to compete in Business class against the likes of Qatar but instead is throwing in the towel.
Given the choice I would much prefer to transfer in Doha than Paris the Qatar business terminal is great and much more pleasant than CDG
PaulNeumann - 02/11/2011 02:15
France along with the rest of non-German speaking Europe, and maybe the UK if it gets less "wet", is in terminal decline. The sooner it adapts to its Disneyland for adults status, the better!
ADD A COMMENT »
The big picture: BA’s Jubilee jumbo 28/05/2012
British Airways has painted one of its B747 aircraft with an emblem and message as part of its celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee — full story »
Hong Kong Airport takes step closer to third runway 28/05/2012
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong has submitted its project profile for a third runway, the start of a two-year Environmental Impact Assessment — full story »
Travelodge adds two Edinburgh properties 28/05/2012
The budget hotel group has opened hotels on Edinburgh’s Queen Street and Princes Street, the latter being a partnership with high street retailer Topshop — full story »
