EASYJET, with its Orly hub, is now the second largest airline in Francel. It was forced last week to drop its proposed Paris ” Ajaccio service announced earlier this month. The DGAC (French CAA) said that it could not agree to a second airline operating scheduled flights on this route, as the French Government had granted a monopoly to Air France/CCM under a so-called Public Service Obligation (PSO). After careful consideration of all options, easyJet has decided not to operate the route, for which it says there is a high demand, claiming that tax-payers” money is being handed over to Air France. easyJet says it could provide a better service at a better price without subsidies, with return fares starting at E70 compared to the lowest return fare of E263 for Air France/CCM (AF quoted prices). It says tourism will suffer in Corsica, which incidentally is where AF CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta originates (as did Napoleon). On 7 March easyJet announced further expansion in France with five new routes and three new airports (Ajaccio, Bordeaux, La Rochelle). The new services are Luton to Bordeaux starting on 29 June, Bristol to Toulouse 21 July and Marseille 22 July, as well as four weekly flights from Bristol to La Rochelle which begin 21 July.
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