Air France plans to reduce its short-haul routes, due to increased competition by high speed rail routes low cost airlines.
Its short-haul capacity, in terms of available seat kilometres, will be cut by 15% by the end of 2021 - the decision could result in the airline cutting 465 jobs.
However, the airline was quick to stress that there will be no forced departures.
Air France's financial situation has deteriorated significantly on its domestic network, and in 2018 it posted a loss of €189 million, a sharp decrease compared to 2017. Since 2013, cumulative losses have amounted to €717 million.
Speaking on the decision, Air France explained that it has faced intense competition on domestic routes high-speed rail services.
In addition, the airline explained that "on routes where high-speed trains connect Paris to the provinces in under two hours, Air France has lost 90% of its market share".
On the subject of low-cost airlines, Air France cited that low-cost airlines have set up "bases at major airports and have gained ground rapidly with aggressive pricing policies and often with the help of public authorities. Unlike Air France, where 90% of staff are based in France".
Commenting on the decision, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, said: “The French domestic network is intricately linked to the history of Air France.
“It guarantees its regional base, and connects the French regions to the rest of the world by offering several thousand daily connection opportunities. In a highly competitive marketplace, we are all fully engaged in defending a domestic market that is vital for Air France and also more globally for the Air France-KLM Group.”