Air France; US airlines; and AerCap’s private placement

The situation at Air France is becoming confusing. Conflicting reports have surfaced with direct quotes. Air France has denied that plans to expand its Transavia low-cost airline have been dropped following a 10-day strike by its pilots. But the French transport secretary, Alain Vidalies, had told RMC radio that “the Transavia Europe project has been abandoned by management”. But Air France said the announcement was “premature”, and that it had only proposed to suspend the scheme. Meanwhile the strike continues to cost the airline €15m per day (at least). On Monday, Air France offered to freeze plans to expand the