THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday formally announced the reopening of direct flights to Europe with flights between Manila and Paris, France kicking off in December.
Air France / KLM general manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania Kemke Kroese, in a press briefing in Malacanang, bared the first non- stop service from Europe to the Philippines under the Marcos administration.
In attendance was DOTr Jaime Bautista and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel. Starting on December 8, a thrice weekly non-stop Manila-Paris service of Air France will jump start the enhanced civil aviation cooperation signed recently between the Philippines and France.
Fontanel thanked the Philippine government for supporting direct flights to Manila after a 20-year absence.
“It’s true that the Philippines used to be linked to many European capitals back then, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Rome, and Paris, but today, and for many years from now, it’s (Philippine) the only major Asean country without a direct flight to Europe,” Fontanel said
“For 20 years, the Philippines has been lacking a direct connection with my country, and for five years with the European Union. It means the reopening of a direct route between the Philippines and Europe has been eagerly awaited, and I’m particularly happy that it is with Air France and a direct connection Paris Manila flight today, it puts an end to maybe an anomaly by reconnecting the Philippines with Europe and France.” Fontanel added.
Bautista said other local airlines can operate between Manila and Paris. “We have an air service agreement with France (which) allows foreign carriers to Paris and other cities in France,” Bautista added.
Bautista said Philippines Airlines used to operate in Paris many years ago. The resumption of flights to Paris came after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, France (DGAC) last week.
The MOU aims to reinforce CAAP’s safety oversight functions to meet the growing demand for aviation in the Philippines and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
With the continued support of French DGAC and Airbus, the cooperation will focus on developing an audit and inspection program to provide means that will continuously enhance the safety performance of Philippine air operators and approved maintenance organizations.
Meanwhile, Air France is expected to offer competitive ticket prices to lure more Filipinos to travel to Paris. An Airbus 350-900 – configured tri-class – will fly 14 hours from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to Kroese.
