Air France awaits union go-ahead for new subsidiaryATW

Air France’s new, lower-cost long- and medium-haul airline will initially use Airbus A340s on its long-distance routes. The new operation, which is being created under the interim name Boost, will include new A350s from 2019, but initial long-haul services from summer 2018 will operate the older four-engined type. Prior to that, medium-haul services will begin in autumn 2017 using A320-family aircraft. The French flag carrier has previously said the Boost fleet will not exceed 18 medium- and 10 long-haul aircraft. The company has presented a draft agreement to two pilots’ unions, SNPL and SPAF, detailing terms and conditions for flight-deck crew. The carrier said it hopes to have unions sign the deal by Feb. 24, but this date could be stretched if the unions decide to consult their members. Boost is planned to have a lower cost structure than mainline Air France and to operate particularly on loss-making routes where the airline is under heavy pressure from Gulf carriers. The airline said Boost’s pilots will be Air France personnel, but that “productivity and efficiency improvement measures, defined by the negotiations, will ensure Boost’s pilot cost savings and will also contribute to Air France’s competitiveness.”<br/>