Direct flights between Manila and Paris to reopen

As the Philippines enter the holiday season with the start of the «Ber» months, an early Christmas gift awaits travelers with the resumption of a direct route between the Philippines and France, as well as the rest of Europe.

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Secretary of Transportation Jaime Bautista and Air France — KLM General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania Femke Kroese, announced the return of Air France in the Philippines, 20 years after the last direct flight between the two countries.

This resumption marks a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral relations, and reflects France's concrete commitment to developing cooperation with the Philippines.

(From left) Presidential Communications’ Malacañang Palace Press Briefer Daphne Oseña Paez, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Air France-KLM General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania Femke Kroese PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY

The Paris-Manila route will officially open on the first weekend 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.

In a few months, passengers will benefit from regular flights between the two countries, with a frequency of three flights a week.

The connection of the two air hubs – Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) – consolidates France's role as a gateway to Europe for the Philippines, which is currently the only major Southeast Asian country without a direct connection to the European Union.

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This 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.

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 percent a year between now and 2042.