Air France must cut emissions and domestic flights to receive financial assistance

US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — French airline Air France will be forced to reduce carbon emissions and domestic flights as conditions for financial support to the government, French finance minister said Wednesday.

Due to the fact that the airline industry was among the most affected by the consequences of the coronavirus crisis, the government offered the airline a financial assistance package of 7 billion euros, consisting of state guaranteed bank loans and loans directly from the government.

Assistance will be provided provided that the airline outlines the path to profitability and sets the goal of becoming the most environmentally friendly carrier in the world.

Clarifying these conditions, Finance Minister Bruno Le Mayor told Parliament that the airline should cut carbon emissions by half per passenger and per kilometer by 2030 compared with 2005 levels.

As for flights in France, emissions should be halved by 2024, which, according to Le Mehr, means that domestic flights will be “radically reduced” in order to focus on servicing transport hubs.

In addition, by 2025, 2% of the fuel used by the company’s aircraft should be obtained from alternative energy sources.

“Finally, in the coming years, it will be necessary to direct investments in updating the fleet of long and medium-range aircraft to more effectively control emissions,” said Le Mer.

Earlier, Le Mayor told a television company that the French carrier is expected to become a “good customer for Airbus,” adding that the government can also provide support to the European aircraft manufacturer when needed.

Meanwhile, the government is considering establishing an industry supply chain support fund for the aerospace industry, which may include banks, he added.

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