Things getting testy at Air France..
 

So what else is new right?? They've always had their labor issues, strikes, slowdowns, etc, but thought this was pretty funny...imagine if that happened here.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/10/05/air-france-execs-forced-to-flee-after-union-protesters-storm-hq-meeting/73367714/

Wow. And we are considered the unreasonable ones turning down a concession laden TA. The zone of reasonableness seems to be subjective depending on your point of view.

So is this also a reason for the proposed change from EASK's to Block Hours in the concessionary TA? Don't know exactly how this all plays out but maybe RA and Co. saw this downscale coming and wanted to prepare... to change the JV language from EASK's to block hours. Anyone want to tackle this conspiracy?

Tail

You do realize had we switched to block hours a scale down at Air France would have impacted us less than EASK's right?

Until you change the metric again and reset the compliance number. Pilot block hours or aircraft block hours? They still fly more 3 and 4 man trips with larger gauge equipment. If we exceed the tops side are you concerned? We just announced more Rome out of MSP.

The up-gauging of the US side and the down-gauging of the EU side was well publicized in public statements and fleet plans published by the partner airlines. I provided links to the articles at the time.

While correct on the trend, the rate and quantity of change is difficult to predict since there are so many variables which affect execution on the EU side.

Block Hours should not be confused with Pilot Block Hours.

The part of the puzzle which may not be obvious from our side of the Atlantic is the rapid and aggressive expansion of Ryanair and other EU LCC. While the ME3 are eating their lunch on premium transoceanic, the LCC are making a "dog's breakfast" of their feed.

We have to remain alert for the one market they have that still sort-of functions ... the US.

Buck, what if as someone said here earlier the AF down gauge is just to those markets they're struggling against the ME3 and they still take the heavies to Merica?

There is no need to change anything if AF downsizes. Delta has minimum amounts of flying based on our contract. There is no maximum. AF could cut half their flying over the Atlantic......a Delta would not have to cut one flight.

Which is precisely what Air France says it's planning to do. No downsizing to the good ole USA.

Carl

Source? The new plan from AF has them parking the widebodies use on the unprofitable routes. 12 hulls next year.