As the deconfliction is announced in France, with a variable approach depending on the region, the national airline has chosen to take the lead by announcing reassuring measures for the 11 May date.

Masks must be worn by all

The national airline, in compliance with the recent decrees on the State of Health Emergency in France, has decided to impose the wearing of masks to all employees of the airline as well as to travellers who choose to use the national airline.

While the measure de facto reduces the proximity of Air France’s crews and ground teams, an undeniable strength of the airline vis-à-vis its competitors, the situation is such that no other solution is possible.

Reassurance also on the ground

The challenge for the airlines at this time is to reassure passengers also on the ground, in coordination with the airports they serve. Air France also announced yesterday a series of measures to respect the social distance.

For example, the airline plans to develop the customer journey on the ground with the application of physical distancing throughout the airport journey and the installation, wherever possible, of Plexiglas protections in airports.

Also, let’s not forget that almost all of the airline’s lounges remain closed at this stage and until further notice.

On board, the challenge of social distancing

Social distancing is difficult to maintain on board. We have seen this recently with videos or photos posted on social networks showing full flights in the midst of containment.

Indeed, with few flights left, and some people having compelling travel needs, this situation could still occur, yet Air France maintains that it wants to see physical distancing on board whenever possible.

However, it states that “on most flights, current low load factors allow for the spacing of customers. In cases where this is not possible, the wearing of masks by all passengers and crew ensures adequate health protection.

Alexandre de Juniac, President of IATA and former CEO of Air France KLM, said last week on Europe 1: “No airline in the world is capable of flying planes that are 50% full. So if the flight is complete, no distancing! And this is true for all the airlines in the world!

Air France also announces the disinfection of surfaces between each flight and the spraying of a virucide at the end of each rotation.

What service at such a time?

Obviously, the service on board is adapted in such a period to avoid interactions between the crew and the passengers:

• No service on short and medium haul flights until further notice,
• Limited service on long-haul flights, with pre-packaged products preferred to the rest.

We’ll have to wait a few months before we can enjoy the French way of life again.

Bottom line

What do you think of these measures? Do you think they are sufficient? At TravelGuys, we think this is better than nothing…

Articles similaires

How Emirates disinfects its cabins for the Coronavirus Air Tahiti Nui breaks the record for the longest flight in the world thanks to the Coronavirus Airlines: when to expect take-off again? COVID-19 and repatriation: no to irresponsible tourists COVID-19: what opportunities for the travel industry? Will the A220 be the star single-aisle aircraft of the recovery?