Air France has announced that routes operated by its regional carrier Hop! will now be rebranded to Air France Hop.
The airline claims the move will allow it to link the subsidiary’s services more clearly to the Air France brand and makes it “the sole point of reference for customers wishing to travel on the French flag carrier”.
The move comes after Air France announced it would axe the short-lived Joon brand and integrate the millennial airline’s aircraft into the main carrier’s fleet.
Hop! was launched in 2013 to unite the Air France’s three regional airlines – Brit Air, Regional and Airlinair.
Air France says changing the carrier’s branding is the next step in its process of “simplifying Air France KLM’s brand portfolio in order to provide greater clarity for customers and more consistency with the group’s global commercial offer”.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France KLM Group, commented: “This is the next step towards consolidating the strength of our brands and increasing the clarity and overall consistency of the Air France KLM Group’s offer. The domestic network, including the regional market currently operated by Hop! is fundamental to the Air France business model, securing its regional foothold and is an integral part of its history and DNA. In the face of competition in this market, we must make our offer clearer and link it more closely to the values and strengths of the Air France brand.
The name change will have no effect on the carrier’s staff or any forward bookings, according to Air France.
The Air France KLM Group brand portfolio now includes Air France, Air France Hop, KLM, KLM Cityhopper and Transavia.
airfrance.com