News: Easyjet forced to axe Corsica flights
Flights > News > # 709 (16/03/2006)
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Easyjet has been forced to drop their proposed Paris Orly-Ajaccio route after it was blocked by French aviation chiefs.
The French Civil Aviation Authority would not agree to a second airline operating scheduled flights on the route because the French Government had granted a monopoly to Air France under the controversial Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme. PSO’s are seen by many budget airlines as a way in which European governments can impose control on domestic markets. Easyjet’s boss in France, François Bacchetta, said there is huge demand for flights from Paris to Corsica and no justification for a monopoly. He said:
“Not only are other airlines banned from this route, but also is tax-payers’ money being handed over to Air France. We could provide a better service at a better price without subsidies with return fares starting at €70, compared to the lowest return fare of €263 for Air France.” Bacchetta added: “The scheme is a licence for Air France to milk the French tax payer and the citizens of Corsica. As a consequence, tourism in Corsica suffers and visitors from Paris have to pay rip-off prices. Tourists who would have flown with us to Corsica will now go abroad this summer, because they can get cheap flights.”
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