MANILA – The French Embassy in the Philippines announced the resumption of direct flights between the Philippines and France, as well as the rest of Europe, starting December this year.
This was revealed by French Ambassador Marie Fontanel during a press briefing at Malacañang Palace, reflecting France’s “concrete commitment” to developing cooperation with the Philippines and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Also in attendance during the press briefing is Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Air France-KLM General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania Femke Kroese.
“The Paris-Manila route will officially open on the first weekend [of] December, a symbolic month that coincides with the festive Christmas season and the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, after five years of restoration work,” the French Embassy stated.
“In a few months, passengers will benefit from regular flights between the two countries, with a frequency of three flights a week,” the French Embassy added.
During the press briefing, Ambassador Fontanel said that the resumption of direct flights will connect two air hubs – Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This will also consolidate France’s role as a “gateway” to Europe for the Philippines, which currently is the only major Southeast Asian country without a direct connection to the European Union (EU), Fontanel mentioned.
The Ambassador also said that the event “marks a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral relations between France and the Philippines, offering new opportunities for mobility, and economic, tourism, cultural development, and student exchange.”
It will help boost French and European investment in a particularly dynamic Philippine market, Fontanel emphasized.
This initiative also illustrates Air France’s commitment to establishing a long-term presence in the Philippine market, at a time when flights between Europe and the Philippines are set to increase by +4.1% a year between now and 2042, the French Embassy stated.
Meanwhile, Fontanel reaffirms France’s commitment to developing strategic partnerships and deepening its relations with the Philippines, as illustrated by the opening of a resident defense mission in June 2024 and the installation of the embassy in its new premises at the beginning of the year, with enhanced resources.
