France and Brussels are close to an agreement on aid to Air France

The French Government and the European Commission have reached an agreement on the terms of state aid for Air France. Like other airlines, it paid for the new coronavirus pandemic and its associated restrictions. The French daily Le Monde reported about it at the end of this week. According to the newspaper, Air France should give up part of its take-off and landing positions in Paris, especially at Orly airport, but their reduction should not be as significant as originally requested by the European Commission. A spokeswoman for the European Commission, contacted by Reuters, declined to comment on the data and Air France and the French Ministry of Economy have not yet wanted to comment. The entire Air France-KLM group recorded a loss of 7.1 billion euros last year as a result of the pandemic. It received support in the form of loans and loan guarantees from the French and Dutch governments in the form of loans and loan guarantees. In addition, however, it is negotiating a state-supported recapitalization. The European Commission is willing to agree to the aid, but subject to a reduction in the number of take-off and landing positions at key Paris-Orly and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. However, the scope of the European Commission's requirements for Air France was opposed by the airline and its unions.