TourMaG.com - What do you think of the new membership of four of your members to FNAM (A federation union of air travel professionals – translator’s note)?
Philippe Dandrieux, President of SCARA, does not worry about the future of the union despite the recent departure of four member companies - Screen Capture
Philippe Dandrieux: "Every company has the freedom to choose the organization that will best represent their interests.
I would also like to reiterate that we have strengthened our ties with the FNAM and have developed many joint actions.
Some like Corsair were already members of the federation.
Others like, Aigle Azur and XL Airways, chose to join SCARA in 2011.
In all cases, these companies will stay with our union until the end of the year."
I would also like to reiterate that we have strengthened our ties with the FNAM and have developed many joint actions.
Some like Corsair were already members of the federation.
Others like, Aigle Azur and XL Airways, chose to join SCARA in 2011.
In all cases, these companies will stay with our union until the end of the year."
TourMaG.com - Did you fear that their departure would hurt your credibility and representativeness in the eyes of public authorities?
Philippe Dandrieux: "I do not think so because FNAM already accounted for the majority of the sector, around 90%, due to the weight of the Air France group. So now an increase to 95% does not change much. . .
Our members are small and medium size companies that operate in different sectors, such as charter flights, business travel, or in the public service.
They have the specificities of SMEs that need to be defended differently than those of multinational companies.
I am confident that the authorities will always listen to us because they need to see different perspectives.
We will also stand alongside FNAM during major debates, because it is better to join forces to avoid getting caught up in prejudices."
Our members are small and medium size companies that operate in different sectors, such as charter flights, business travel, or in the public service.
They have the specificities of SMEs that need to be defended differently than those of multinational companies.
I am confident that the authorities will always listen to us because they need to see different perspectives.
We will also stand alongside FNAM during major debates, because it is better to join forces to avoid getting caught up in prejudices."
TourMaG.com – You do not fear that SCARA will disappear?
Philippe Dandrieux : "On the contrary, I am very optimistic for the future.
If by the end of the year Caribbean Air, Aigle Azur, XL Airways and Corsair do not renew their membership, the SCARA will still have five members: Europe Airpost, Air St Pierre, Atlantique Air Assistance, Air Corsica and Air Méditerranée.
Of course, we might be confronted to a budget issue since contributions will certainly decrease.
But we will adapt our structures accordingly when the time comes and we will seek other resources by adapting our expenditures. Something we know how to do perfectly well in our business.”
If by the end of the year Caribbean Air, Aigle Azur, XL Airways and Corsair do not renew their membership, the SCARA will still have five members: Europe Airpost, Air St Pierre, Atlantique Air Assistance, Air Corsica and Air Méditerranée.
Of course, we might be confronted to a budget issue since contributions will certainly decrease.
But we will adapt our structures accordingly when the time comes and we will seek other resources by adapting our expenditures. Something we know how to do perfectly well in our business.”