Air France expands operations in Toulouse as part of 'commercial offensive' in French market

Air France announced (29-Mar-2012) plans to launch 14 new destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean from Toulouse on 01-Apr-2012 as "part of its commercial offensive in the French regions". In total, there will be more than 430 weekly flights to 28 destinations operated from Toulouse, representing increased capacity of 20%. The carrier, in the long-term, expects an additional 630,000 passengers p/a as a result of the increased capacity. Details include:

• New routes: Air France is launching 10 new non-stop routes to Europe from Toulouse to Athens, Berlin, Hamburg, Malaga, Malta, Naples, Prague, Seville, Venice and Vienna. In the Mediterranean, Air France will be launching non-stop service to Casablanca, Istanbul, Marrakech and Tunis. These routes are in addition to the destinations already on offer from Toulouse to Amsterdam, Milan and Rome. In metropolitan France, the reorganisation of the network will enable Air France to increase seat capacity to all the main French cities as well as to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly;
• Cost reductions: The carrier stated the network, fleet and staff optimisation will "significantly" reduce costs. In the long-term, 350 flight deck and cabin crew will be based in Toulouse;
• In-flight product: Includes free checked baggage, a choice of newspapers at the boarding gate, a free snack and a choice of seat;
• Toulouse-Blagnac operations: Check-in will be transferred to Hall C at the airport;
• "Commercial offensive": With the launch of its these services from Toulouse on 01-Apr-2012 and from Nice on 03-Apr-2012, Air France stated it is "rounding off its commercial offensive in the French regions that it has been developing since October 2011 starting with Marseille". From its three regional bases in Marseille, Toulouse and Nice, Air France will be operating over 1300 weekly services in summer 2012 to France, Europe and the Mediterranean. With these bases, Air France's aim is to carry 2 million additional passengers p/a. [more - original PR]