The CEO of Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Jean-Marc Janaillac, has confirmed that the company will boost the capital of Air Côte d'Ivoire (HF, Abidjan) and is looking to develop Abidjan into a West African hub. The President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, announced the results of his meeting with Janaillac as the two discussed strengthening cooperation between the two carriers.
Janaillac said that Air France-KLM is prepared to assist Air Côte d'Ivoire in its operational, financial and commercial developments, adding that he believes the national carrier is developing strongly in the region. He specifically announced that his Group will make a contribution to increase the capital of Air Côte d'Ivoire.
Air France currently holds a 20% stake in the Ivorian carrier, while the remainder is the hands of the government and private investors. After a successful 2015, Air Côte d'Ivoire announced its intention to boost its capital from XOF25 billion (USD40 million) to XOF65 billion (USD105 million) in the first quarter of 2016, and XOF200 billion (USD322.5 million) by year's end.
Janaillac highlighted that Abidjan is the only African city which Air France flies to twice daily. His comments confirmed his commitment to developing a West African hub, saying that the airlines will work together to expand their service offerings from an Abidjan hub. Janaillac is now set to meet with the management of Air Côte d'Ivoire to confirm an action plan.
Air Côte d'Ivoire operates a fleet of four A319-100s, two A320-200s, and four Dash 8-400s, which it deploys to destinations throughout the Ivory Coast as well as West and Central Africa. It also has three A320neo and two A320ceo on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac).
