J
OON, the new low-cost carrier of
the Air France KLM Group, has
chosen Cape Town to launch
its second long-haul operation, with
the first of three weekly frequencies
from Paris-Charles de Gaulle
touching down in the Mother City on
April 3.
Joon launched only in December
last year, and its first long-haul
service was introduced on March 25
with a daily Paris-Cairo flight.
Speaking at press briefing in Cape
Town on April 4, ceo, Jean-Michel
Mathieu, said Joon was taking over
the Cape Town route from Air France,
whose thrice-weekly Cape Town
service had become unprofitable
because of stiff competition from
Emirates. As a low-cost carrier,
Joon would be able to operate the
route more efficiently because of its
lower overheads, including a leaner
management structure and faster
turnaround and therefore greater
productivity of aircraft equipment. In
addition, a change of aircraft from
Air France’s A330 with 208 seats
to Joon’s A340-300 with 278 seats
meant a 25% capacity growth on the
route.
Jean-Michel said Joon would
operate three frequencies during the
European summer and five during
the European winter on the ParisCape
Town route. The main aim was
to become a feeder to Air France’s
hub in Paris. Travel agents will be
able to book Joon under the Air
France code.
Joon flights have a three-class
configuration. Business class
features 30 two-metre-long lie-flat
seats, HD touch screens, audio
reduction headsets and full service
haute cuisine. Premium economy
has 21 seats – 49cm wide with
99cm leg-room – a comfort kit,
welcome drink and starters and
desserts inspired by business class.
Economy class has 227 seats with
78cm legroom, latest generation
touch screen, USB port and two full
meals. Trips can be personalised by
choosing from 70 seats available on
a paying-option basis.
Jean-Michel said Joon
differentiated itself by offering
what he termed a “new generation
travel experience”, featuring
“personalisation options,
competitive pricing, different levels
of comfort and a wide set of
choices”. “For example,” he said,
“Joon offers one-way or round-trips
with à la carte fares, with or without
baggage, that you can modify or
not for an experience completely
adapted to your needs.” A special
20% discount applies to Joon fares
on the Paris-Cape Town
route until April 10 (Code
JOON460).
Wesgro Cape Town Air
Access project manager,
Paul van den Brink, said
Joon was a good fit for
the Cape Town market,
which saw a 7% increase
in international arrivals
in January and February
this year. He said the
French market had grown
by 33% in 2017.
On April 4, Joon added
Tehran to its long-haul
network. Fortaleza in Brazil
follows on May 3, Mahé on
May 5 and Mumbai on
June 18.
