Manila: Air France has officially resumed its direct flights between Manila and Paris, reintroducing the route after a 20-year hiatus.

The inaugural flight departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at 9:50 p.m. on Sunday (Dec 8) arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 5:50 a.m. the following morning.

A send-off ceremony was held at NAIA, attended by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) General Manager Lito Alvarez.

The flights operate three times a week, departing Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 9:50 p.m., arriving in Paris the next morning. Return flights leave Paris every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11:20 p.m., reaching Manila at 7:30 p.m. the same day.

French Ambassador Fontanel highlighted the strong demand for this route, noting the embassy is prepared to manage the expected rise in visa applications.

-B