Paris, April, 2018: Aigle Azur, the second largest French airline, held a press conference to announce the expansion of its flights network, and present the main strategic guidelines for the company.
On the occasion, Frantz Yvelin, the president of Aigle Azur, had the opportunity to make an initial assessment of his performance as chairman, along with the arrival of a new shareholder, Mr. David Neeleman, sided by the groups HNA and Lu Azur.
Frantz Yvelin, laid the groundwork for a renewed momentum, and was able to operate the company’s recovery, reducing operating costs and leveraging productivity, while simultaneously consolidating and garnering the backing of all employees and shareholders. Building on these solid foundations, he is now focused on implementing an ambitious growth strategy.
Frantz Yvelin, president of Aigle Azur, has stated: «The unprecedented accomplishments announced today reflect what I have always strived to achieve from the beginning: to ensure that the entrepreneurial culture, that is very dear to me, is part of a path designed over 70 years ago, in the true pioneering spirit of Aigle Azur.”
Because we respect our commitments to our historic markets, we do not relegate new horizons and new market segments to the background. I’m personally determined to framing Aigle Azur through global rapprochement logic, with a strong catalytic role, that gives us greater national, regional and international expression. We are a true “home with wings” and we are all fully engaged to this renewed adventure. I feel as proud as I feel happy. Together we inscribe Aigle Azur’s destiny and to it we shall remain faithful. » he added.
The year 2017 marked the beginning of a significant expansion of the Aigle Azur network with new routes to Beirut, Berlin and Moscow. The company will open a new Orly-Milan daily flight from September 2018
Backed by its shareholders, Aigle Azur is set to reach new destinations: June 21st will mark the beginning of a route to Beijing*, which will be provided by the Orly company at the rate of three weekly flights. In addition, on July 5th, Aigle Azur will launch a new Paris-Orly / São Paulo-Campinas* (Brazil) route, with 3 weekly flights, though the same route will be extended up to 5 flights per week, as of September 2018. And to São Paulo-Campinas, the main hub of Azul in South America.
Aigle Azur is waiting for the delivery of two new Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which will reinforce the existing fleet, around mid-April. After this reinforcement, the Aigle Azur fleet will count 12 Airbus aircraft (x2 A330, x9 A320, x1 A319).
This new image will be followed by a deep improvement of the service and product on-board: High-quality standard in all classes, including an executive class with 180° reclining seats (fully horizontal), state-of-the-art on-board VOD-type entertainment system in both classes, different mood light modes and connection to the Internet on-board as of July.
ABOUT AIGLE AZUR
Founded in 1946, Aigle Azur is the second-largest airline company in France. It benefits from a long rich history and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016. Every year, Aigle Azur transports almost 2 million passengers aboard its fleet exclusively composed of Airbus aircraft through nearly 300 scheduled weekly flights from its bases in Lyon, Marseille and Paris. After seven decades, Aigle Azur continues to connect people, continents and cultures and has remained true to its values of hospitality, sharing and friendliness. Departing from 5 French cities, today the company serves Algeria, Portugal, Mali (Bamako), Senegal (Dakar), Lebanon (Beirut), Russia (Moscow and Germany (Berlin).