AF-KL’s cargo operations took a big hit in the recession — no news there, because everybody’s cargo operation took a big hit. But beginning last September, and continuing right through today, a sharp resurgence in demand has most carriers reporting y-o-y monthly gains of 25% to 45%. But not Air France. What is going on?
It is true that AF-KL downsized its freighter fleet, but so did nearby neighbor Lufthansa, and yet Lufthansa reported April traffic up 25% y-o-y — above pre-crisis levels — while AF reported a 2% decline. And that’s a 2% decline from April 2009 which was itself down 23% from the previous year.
Anybody out there have any thoughts on this?
Looks like the Le Figaro article hit a nerve at AF Cargo, as the carrier is now issuing strongly-worded denials. One company spokesman was quoted as calling the article “total nonsense,” but the gist of the comments was that AF-KL would continue to operate 14 freighters — five at Air France Cargo, nine at Martinair. We shall see.