Air France 'must cut domestic flights to get aid'
A French government intend to rescue Air France is contingent on the carrier scrapping some domestic flights, the country's economy minister has said.
Air France should become "the most environmentally respectful airline", Bruno Le Maire told France Inter radio.
The government has approved a €7bn (£6.15bn) loan to Air France, which includes been hit hard by coronavirus curbs.
On Monday, the European Commission approved the proposal, saying it met EU rules on state aid.
In his radio interview, Mr Le Maire said the coronavirus crisis provided an opportunity to "reinvent our style of economic development to ensure it is more respectful of the surroundings".
He added this meant a number of Air France domestic routes would have to go.
"It is clear that today numerous domestic routes are no more justified," he said, without giving further details.
"When you're able to travel by train in under two . 5 hours, there is absolutely no justification when planning on taking a plane."
Like the majority of airlines, Air France has drastically reduced its activities. The business happens to be operating about 5% of its usual scheduled flights.
Last month, Air France-KLM secured at least €9bn in government aid, as the Franco-Dutch airline group struggles to remain afloat as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The French authorities said Air France would get €3bn in loans and another €4bn in state-guaranteed funds.
The Dutch government said it had been preparing between €2bn and €4bn in aid to KLM.
Earlier this season, Air France-KLM estimated the outbreak would cost the group between €150m and €200m among February and April.
Both airlines merged in 2004.
