DOTr's Bautista announces direct flights between Manila, Paris

The Philippines and France have agreed to have direct flights between them, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Tuesday. 

''I think this is quite an important one, I think it's an announcement that will make Filipinos happy because they will be able to fly non-stop from the Philippines to Paris and from Paris to the Philippines,'' Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during a Palace press briefing.

Bautista also thanked Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic Marie Fontanel ''for working hard to make this non-stop and direct flight happen.''

The direct flight will be through Air France-KLM.

For her part, Fontanel said the direct flight would testify to Air France' confidence in the Philippines market at the time when flights between Europe and the Philippines are set to increase by more than 4% a year between the present time and 2042.

''After 20-year absence, Air France will reopen an office in the Philippines alongside its partner, historic partner which is present here, KLM, already present in the country,'' Fontanel said. 

''The direct non-stop service between the Philippines and France will probably most likely boost [unclear] tourism exchanges between our two countries and more generally with the European Union,'' she added.

Meanwhile, Femke Kroese, General Manager for Air France-KLM for Southeast Asia and Oceania, said the direct flight would operate three days a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

This will begin on December 8, Kroese said.

Furthermore, Bautista said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is ready to accept passengers amid this new development.

''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. But for these particular flights, NAIA is very much prepared,'' Bautista said.

''NAIA will work closely with the officials of Air France – KLM, their ground handlers, their caterers so that Air France will have smooth operations here in the country,'' he added. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/RF, GMA Integrated News