Air France to Launch Low-Cost Airline Boost, Expected to Debut in Winter 2017

▲ Air France recently announced plans to launch a low-cost airline, to be operated with Airbus A320s. (Photo / Screenshot from Wikipedia)

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Low-cost carriers have become a major trend in air travel. According toforeign media reports,Air France recently announced plans to establish a budget airline, tentatively named “Boost.” The airline stated it will unveil a new name this summer and is set to begin operations in winter 2017, initially operating five Airbus A320 aircraft.

Europe’s low-cost airline market is densely populated with routes. Following carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, Air France is also entering the low-cost airline market to compete in Europe. The first planned route will be operated from the Air France/KLM group base to destinations in Italy, Spain, and Turkey. By 2018, the airline plans to operate 18 single-aisle jets, and by 2020, it aims to introduce 10 long-haul aircraft, including the A350 wide-body jet.

According to Air Transport World, “Boost” will be used to revitalize underperforming Air France routes. Currently, 70% of the planned operations will focus on long-haul routes that are currently unprofitable, while the remaining 30% will be dedicated to developing new destinations.

According to Reuters, Boost will utilize pilots voluntarily reassigned from the original Air France fleet, and crew salaries will be 20–40% lower than those of Air France employees.