new non-stop flights between Manila and Paris welcomed
New 3 weekly non-stop flights between Manila and Paris were officially inaugurated by Air France on Sunday 8 December [2024]. This service was resumed after an absence of 20 years.
There was a pre-departure ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Secretary of Transportation, Jaime J. Bautista, Secretary of Tourism, Christina Garcia Frasco, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Air France-KLM General Manager for South East Asia & Oceania, Femke Kroese each highlighted the importance of the new route.
Femke Kroese, Air France-KLM General Manager for South East Asia & Oceania said, ‘we are extremely proud of this new Air France service operating non-stop between Manila and Paris, 3 times weekly. Together with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Air France-KLM group is the only European carrier with a daily service between Manila, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam-Schiphol.’
Marie Fontanel, Paris’ envoy to Manila, said the new route coincides with the first weekend of the Notre-Dame de Paris’ reopening. The French envoy said it was an “important milestone” and a long-standing request and “Christmas wish” from both Filipinos and French nationals alike. “In terms of foreign direct investment [this route helps] by removing a psychological barrier to trade and boosting the interest of French and European investors in a particularly dynamic Philippine market,” said Fontanel.
To celebrate the launch customers arriving and departing on the new flight were greeted by traditional Lei and festive Filipino music.
The new generation Airbus A350-900, is being used for the route, which is 14-hours direct. Flights are scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday and will operate between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Charles de Gaulle Airport.Flights from Paris to Manila are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays.
The route operates with 324 seats – 34 in business class, 24 in premium economy, and the remaining 266 in economy class.
Picture Source: NAIA & Air France