Stock markets are in freefall over the COVID-19 pandemic and Europe is in a panic over Trump’s travel ban. But this is only the beginning.
Air France
Air France gives in to pilots
Pilots striking against Air France over a proposed expansion of the airline via subsidiary Transavia have apparently won. Air France and KLM have now announced their intention of dropping the Transavia Europe operation.
Air France strike grounds half of flights
Air France has said more than half the airline’s flights will have to be grounded on account of a week-long pilot’s strike. The airline’s plans to start its own low cost carrier are at the center of the dispute that had crippled the airline this morning.
Ryanair Issues Ice Bucket Challenge to Industry
Ryanair, Europe’s leading budget airline, called out CEOs of IAG (Willie Walsh), Air France (Alexandre de Juniac), and Lufthansa (Carsten Spohr) to take the ice bucket challenge. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary literally overdid the ice bucket event in Dublin on Thursday, much to the delight of 200 employees of his airline.
Air France-KLM Changes Leadership
Air France-KLM is to have new leadership according to news from the company. Current CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta, along with Vice Chairman Leo van Wijk step down as of July 1st of this year. , we had a twofold objective,” the pair declared in a joint statement.
Opodo Deal Gets EU Thumbs Up
Private equity firm Permira, and France’s Axa, have received the “go” from EU regulators in their bid to buy online travel entity Opodo. The two investors intent to merge the Spanish Opodo company with Go Voyages and eDreams will create one of the digital world’s biggest online booking agencies.