Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Air Cemac chooses Air France/KLM as strategic partner

Air Cemac, a proposed airline for the Central African region, chose Air France-KLM (AF) as its strategic partner after terminating an agreement earlier this year with South African Airways, said Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, spokesman for Gabon’s presidency.

The airline will start operating in January, Bilie By Nze told reporters in the capital, Libreville, yesterday.

Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad are shareholders in Air Cemac.

WOW :rolleyes:

WOW :rolleyes:

:D:D:D

This makes me wonder whether AFKL also chose them, or whether they will politely decline.

Sound like Air Afrique 2.0 to me...

This makes me wonder whether AFKL also chose them, or whether they will politely decline.

Sound like Air Afrique 2.0 to me...

Air France's strategy looks more decentralized, with regional partners, CEMAC being one of several. Air Afrique was slightly more focused on the former AOF in West Africa, while CEMAC targets the former AEF and neighbouring countries in Central Africa. Given the economic growth in Africa and the LH/SN attempts at increasing their market share, it looks like a smart move, even though it is criticized, just like partnering with Aeroflot was a few years ago.

It seems the CEMAC project is suffering the same issues Air Afrique had in the past (political rather than operational vision) which lead the pan-African airline to bankruptcy.

After successive defections of Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines and South African Airways, Air CEMAC has found a new partner with Air France.

The move is strategic for the French airline, as African market is profitable and growing. Air France needs to strenghten its leadership in the region against Middle East companies like Emirates.

The French company therefore has extended even further its presence in Africa. Air France owns 20% of the capital of the new Air Côte d'Ivoire. It has also signed new code share with Celestair group (Air Mali and Air Burkina), in addition to those made ​​with Air Madagascar, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, TAAG Angola Airlines and its SkyTeam partner Kenya Airways.

Still, I doubt that AF will take around 40% of the capital of the new pan-African airline if financial risks are too high for the group/if AF cannot have the leadership on operation & finance.

As I understand it, there is no requirement on Air France to invest in, or take any part of, Air Cemac.

Perhaps they will eventually, but for now the only shareholders are the governments of the 6 nations involved, and I suspect it will stay that way at least in the short term.

Perhaps they will eventually, but for now the only shareholders are the governments of the 6 nations involved, and I suspect it will stay that way at least in the short term.


What's that? Another Alitalia?
Oh dear...

Well, that would be a step up from being another Air Afrique!!!

Well, that would be a step up from being another Air Afrique!!!


Oh my God, will they ever learn?
Unbelievable...

As I understand it, there is no requirement on Air France to invest in, or take any part of, Air Cemac.

AF is said to take around 38% of Air CEMAC, but AF has not officially confirmed this point.

Very interesting, thanks!