Air France will launch a nonstop Manila-to-Paris flight beginning in December, Air France-KLM General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania, Femke Kroese, said on Tuesday.
The move is expected to boost trade and tourism exchanges between Manila, France, and the European Union, the official added.
Kroese said the airline will operate three times a week — Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
She said the flights will complement existing services of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which is currently operating on other days of the week — Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The flight time will be approximately 14 hours. The airline will also offer night flights. “So you will be arriving very early in the City of Paris to have the full day to explore,” Kroese said.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista assured that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is “very much prepared” for the nonstop Manila-Paris flights.
“NAIA is always ready to accept these passengers. Of course, you know that NAIA is a very congested airport and this is the reason why we [are] privatizing it and making some more improvements,” the DOTr chief said.
Bautista said NAIA will work closely with officials of Air France-KLM to ensure Air France has smooth operations in Manila.
“So, no worries about getting some issues or problems for the passengers of these nonstop flights from Paris to Manila,” he said.
French ambassador Marie Fontanel on Tuesday said the reopening of direct flights from Manila to Paris signifies a very important milestone in further strengthening the long-standing bilateral relations between the Philippines and France.
“So definitely this is a very important milestone to strengthening our bilateral relation,” Ambassador Fontanel said.
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