AIR France is looking
at ways to absorb
its subsidiary Joon’s
operations, but the airline
says the Cape Town route
will continue under AF.
In a statement regarding
the reintegration of Joon,
Air France said, despite
the team’s hard work,
“the brand was difficult
to understand from the
outset for customers, for
employees, for markets and
for investors”. The airline
was launched in December
2017.
Joon launched a seasonal
Paris-Cape Town service
in April 2018, with five
flights a week during the
European winter schedule.
These flights were previously
operated by Air France.
Wouter Vermeulen, Air
France gm for Southern
Africa, says: “Flights to Cape
Town will be maintained and
operated by Air France after
the transition period. The
objective of the end of the
transitional period is June
2019.” He adds that this
route will be decreased to
a twice-weekly operation
during the European summer
schedule.
Joon staff and fleet will
be integrated into the Air
France brand. This includes
the Airbus A350 currently on
order and meant for Joon.
Wouter says: “The plurality
of brands in the marketplace
has created much
complexity and unfortunately
weakened the power of the
Air France brand. Through
integration, Air France would
see many benefits thanks
to fleet, brand and product
harmonisation.”
All Joon flights currently
sold or for sale will be
operated by Joon until the
project is completed. Fares
will remain competitive, adds
Wouter. “We will reassess
the fare structure when
the project is complete, if
necessary.”
