Air France rebrands regional carrier HOP

Photo: © Eric Salard

Air France has announced that the commercial branding of its regional carrier HOP! will now be marketed under the name ‘Air France HOP’. The flag-carrier of France says that this is a necessary step “in order to provide greater clarity for customers and more consistency with the group’s global commercial offer“.

Earlier this year, Air France confirmed that it will shut down its subsidiary airline ‘Joon’ and merge it into the mainline. This carrier was established by Air France in late-2017 to cut labor costs and reach a wider variety of customers, especially ‘millennials’ and other customer groups that are not very present on Air France.

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. Benjamin Smith, Air France-KLM Group CEO

Air France emphasized in a statement that this change of brand will have no effect on the work contracts of HOP! staff. All flights sold by HOP! will continue to operate as normal.

The Air France-KLM group consists on two large brands, Air France and KLM. Both carriers have established smaller subsidiaries with Air France HOP and KLM Cityhopper for regional flights. Furthermore, KLM offers its customers low-cost services that are operated under the Transavia brand, which operates flights from the Netherlands and France.

Air France HOP currently operates a fleet of more than 70 aircraft, including ATR 42 and 72 turboprops, Bombardier CRJ jets, as well as Embraer ERJ and E-Jet airplanes.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE