THE philippines and France have signed an enhanced civil aviation cooperation agreement 'that will make Filipinos happy,' said Secretary Jaime Bautista, reported the Manila Times.
Mr Bautista said part of the deal is a thrice-weekly non-stop Manila-Paris service of Air France from December 8.
'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,' the transport chief said.
During a recent media briefing, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel thanked the Philippine government for its support of direct flights to Manila after an absence of 20 years.
'The direct non-stop service between the Philippines and France will most likely boost trade, tourism and exchanges between our two countries and, more generally, with the European Union,' Ms Fontanel said.
Based on the arrangement, an Airbus 350-900, configured as a tri-class, will fly 14 hours from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Ms Fontanel said the CDG and NAIA connection 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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Mr Bautista said part of the deal is a thrice-weekly non-stop Manila-Paris service of Air France from December 8.
'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,' the transport chief said.
During a recent media briefing, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel thanked the Philippine government for its support of direct flights to Manila after an absence of 20 years.
'The direct non-stop service between the Philippines and France will most likely boost trade, tourism and exchanges between our two countries and, more generally, with the European Union,' Ms Fontanel said.
Based on the arrangement, an Airbus 350-900, configured as a tri-class, will fly 14 hours from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Ms Fontanel said the CDG and NAIA connection 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.
SeaNews Turkey
