Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith has said that Air France has made the necessary plans ahead of this year’s edition of the Summer Olympic Games.
Speaking to journalist Kurt Hofmann, Smith outlined challenges and the plans for Air France as it prepares to host the major international event.
Smith said that Air France has already made concrete plans to enable smooth operations during the Olympic Games hosted in the French capital.
PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
From 26 July to 11 August 2024, Paris will be in the global spotlight as it hosts the Summer Olympic Games.
However, this means a lot of activity and organisation must take place ahead of the event.
AIR FRANCE FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Air France has ramped up its flight schedule ahead of the Olympic Games. The French national carrier will operate flights to 189 destinations in 74 countries this summer.
The airline is offering more flights from more destinations this year as it expects to carry more passengers to France from all corners of the globe.
Air France is an official partner for the Summer Olympics 2024 and Paralympics due to be held in France.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR OLYMPICS
The city of Paris has had much to plan but having had several years to plan, this is no surprise.
Roads, venues, public transport, safety and other such requirements are placed under the city’s planning efforts.
CHALLENGES FOR AIR FRANCE
Air France must ensure efficient airport facilities, flight scheduling and getting people into and out of Paris.
The airline usually connects people via Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport but during the Olympics this will not be the case. Spectators and visitors will be connecting through many other locations throughout the country.
“There are two main challenges for Air France. The first, in a regular year, the carrier is connecting 50% of its customers via Paris Charles de Gaulle. During the Olympics, that should significantly decline and should become much lower. The infrastructure has to switch from connecting customers to origin and destination customers. That puts a lot more pressure on baggage systems, check-in facilities. That’s a big challenge and can the airport handle that“.
Benjamin Smith, CEO, Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM Group CEO Benjamin Smith
BAGGAGE AND CHECK-IN
Increased passenger volumes put pressure on airport operations. Thus, Air France predicts added pressure on check-in facilities and baggage systems.
The French carrier is aware of the need for off-site check-in facilities. It will allow passengers to check in for flights in the city.
The airline is aware that there will be more oversized baggage during this time.
AIR FRANCE STAFF
During major events like the Olympics, host cities have many more people in them. This means more pressure on the city’s public transport.
This in turn impacts the ability of the city’s ordinary residents to reach their places of employment.
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HOTELS FOR ROSTERED AIR FRANCE STAFF
Air France is aware that its staff might experience difficulties in getting to work on time.
“How (do) we make sure that our crews, pilots, ground staff, cabin crew can make it to work (on time)… It is one thing to have everything ready, but what happens if the roads are jammed, or there are difficulties in getting ready to work?“
Benjamin Smith, CEO, Air France-KLM
Air France has therefore decided to manage this challenge by booking hotel rooms for staff. Rostered staff may use these if they anticipate problems in getting to work due to traffic patterns in the city.
