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Not surprisingly a battle of words is underway between easyJet and Air France over the Paris Orly to Ajaccio route that easyJet dropped last week. Air France have disputed that their cheapest fare on the route was 263 euros return as claimed by easyJet. Air France responded that it is 156 euros. EasyJet then point out that this is double what they were going to charge.

Air France point out that easyJet could have applied to operate the route and get the subsidy from the French government. François Bacchetta, easyJet Country Manager France, responded:

"How Air France can suggest that we should also apply for subsidies to fly the 12th most popular route in France is beyond me. Do they really think there is nothing better you can do with public money than handing it over to an airline to fly a route which many airlines would be happy to fly without subsidies?

While there are some routes where a PSO status is appropriate, especially to oversee territories, the list of PSO routes should be revised. Today airlines are able to operate a route such as Paris-Ajaccio under market conditions while offering cheaper fares for consumers. Air France tries to scare people into believing that no one would operate this route without a PSO and people on Corsica would be cut off, but that is just absurd."

The whole episode sounds like a bait laid by easyJet to raise the protectionist issue. I'm sure this debate will get interesting.