All seems not to be good at Air France-KLM, with the CEO of the group and Air France itself – Pierre-Henri Gourgeon resigning.
The group has reacted with Alexandre de Juniac becoming CEO of Air France, and Jean-Cyril Spinetta appointed as chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM group – these two gentlemen were instrumental in setting up the merged Air France-KLM entity in the first place.
Air France has been suffering, with shares dropping 50% in the past 6 months, and reported squabbles at the top.
Air France-KLM Group board state it had..
“determined the orientations in relation to the organization and governance of Air France and of the Air France KLM Group, as well as to the appointment of its senior executives. The aim is to improve the group’s operating and financial performance in a context of economic uncertainties affecting the European air traffic, as well as the position of Air France in respect of increased competition from new entrants.”
As Air France fight to keep it’s market share, it will be holding off creating full-dedicated AF KLM holding, from early 2012 to 2013 because “top priority” must be given to the recovery and improvement of the performances of Air France and KLM.
Times are tough for the carrier, being nibbled away from the bottom by the Low Cost Carriers, and from the top with Lufthansa and IAG (BA/Iberia) breathing down their necks. It’ll be interesting to see if Air France can achive it’s 15% regional operating costs reductions with the implementation of routes from Marseilles. However, in these times – I doubt it.
For me CDG is a big problem. I would rather have a filling in my mouth without anesthetic than go in/out of CDG. Maybe some better customer service would help.
Now AMS is great. Love it. Fast clean and works.
All I remember about AMS was the mile hike from one end of the airport to another, then halfway back again to the lounge….