Air france klm to ground biggest jets over coronavirus
That's correct. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Air France-KLM, the largest airline group in Europe, has decided to ground some of its largest jets, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-400, due to reduced demand and travel restrictions.
In March 2020, Air France-KLM announced that it would be temporarily grounding 12 of its A380s, which are used for long-haul flights, due to the significant decline in passenger demand. The airline group also announced that it would be reducing its capacity by 20% in the first half of 2020.
The decision to ground these large jets is a significant one, as they are typically used for high-demand routes and are a key part of the airline's long-haul fleet. However, with many countries imposing travel restrictions and lockdowns, demand for air travel has plummeted, making it necessary for the airline to adjust its fleet accordingly.
Air France-KLM is not alone in this decision. Many other airlines around the world have also been forced to ground planes and reduce capacity due to the pandemic. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has estimated that the global airline industry could lose up to $113 billion in revenue in 2020 due to the pandemic.
It's worth noting that while the A380 and 747-400 are being grounded, Air France-KLM is still operating many of its other aircraft, including the Airbus A350, A330, and Boeing 777, as well as smaller regional jets. The airline group is also taking steps to reduce costs and improve efficiency, such as reducing staff hours and implementing cost-saving measures.