Air France: Multi-million euro losses due to Olympics
Air France-KLM has reported that the Olympic Games have reduced summer traffic to Paris, resulting in a loss of revenue of 180 million euros.
The Air France-KLM group warned on Monday that the Olympic Games would cause a drop in revenue of up to 180 million euros (193 million dollars) due to a reduction in summer travel to Paris.
Around 15 million visitors are expected to attend the Games, including two million from abroad, according to the Centre for Law and Economy of Sport (CDES), which is monitoring the Paris Games for the IOC and Paris 2024 organisers.
However, the airline holding company, based on the rue du Cirque in Paris, is concerned that the Games could deter other travellers fromvisiting Paris, a major tourist destination during the summer.
“International markets show a significant avoidance of Paris,” the airline said in a statement.
“Travel between the city and other destinations is also below the usual June-August average as French residents appear to be postponing their holidays until after the Olympics or considering alternative travel plans,” it added.
Air France-KLM said it has no plans to reduce capacity despite the estimated negative impact on its revenues for the period June to August 2024, although it will provide details in its half-year results, which will be announced just one day before the start of the third Paris Olympics.
“Travel to and from France is expected to normalise after the Olympics, with encouraging demand levels forecast for late August and September,” the company added. The company’s share price rose just 0.6%, well below the CAC 40 index on the Paris stock exchange, which rose 2%.
As one of the official partners of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France wanted to use the events to promote its brand and showcase its services. It has recruited hundreds of temporary staff to ensure the smooth movement of athletes and their equipment.
The airline expects to transport around a fifth of the Olympic athletes and just over a third of the Paralympic athletes at the forthcoming Games.
At the beginning of June, Anne Rigail, CEO of the French airline, said that this summer would be the first time the airline would return to pre-pandemic activity levels.
Last year, Air France-KLM posted a net profit of 931 million euros in the third quarter, almost matching its record annual profit.