Air France celebrates new Paris - Glasgow route - Mynewsdesk

Mar 30, 2016 12:39 BST

Air France celebrates
new Paris - Glasgow
route
This morning (30 March 2016) Air France and Glasgow Airport celebrated
the start of the new Glasgow to Paris - Charles de Gaulle route.

On board the official inaugural Air France flight from Paris, which was
greeted by a water cannon salute upon arrival, were Henri de Peyrelongue,
Air France Senior Vice President Europe alongside French media and VIPs.

At International Arrivals, passengers and guests took part in a VIP
champagne reception with traditional Scottish Highland dancing, local
delicacies, as well as an official Quaich and ribbon cutting ceremony with
local dignitaries from Visit Scotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

This celebration came after the operations began on Sunday 27 March
2016. The daily flight connects Glasgow to Air France’s international hub in
Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The airline offers a number of connections to its
worldwide network of over 130 destinations from Scotland, including
Shanghai, Tokyo and New York. The daily flight is operated by an Airbus
A318, carrying up to 131 passengers.

 Flight         Origin     Destinatio Departure (local         Arrival (local
 Number                    n          time)                    time)

 AF 1056        Paris      Glasgow      7:30                   8:15

 AF 1057        Glasgo     Paris        9:00                   11:50
                w
Every year, close to 15 million visitors travel to Scotland for both business
and leisure. By serving Glasgow from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Air France is
offering customers the opportunity to fly to one of the fastest growing
destinations in Scotland, boasting strong economic and tourist attractions.

With the addition of the Air France Glasgow to Paris-Charles de Gaulle
route, the AIR FRANCE KLM Group has strengthened its overall presence in
Scotland and offers more than 150 weekly flights. In total the Group offers
7 routes from 4 Scottish airports (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and
Inverness) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where
passengers will be able to connect to the extensive AIR FRANCE KLM
worldwide network.

Warner Rootliep, General Manager AIR FRANCE KLM UK & Ireland said:

“Demand from Scotland continues to grow which is why our Group has always
invested in its Scottish network and local relationships with the region. Today
we celebrate the introduction of the Glasgow-Paris route and looking at the
results of the route so far, I am confident we will make it a success. AIR FRANCE
KLM’s Scottish offering will ensure that local businesses are better connected to
key markets around the world and we are proud to provide the largest city in
Scotland with connectivity to and from key worldwide destinations.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said:

“To be able to officially welcome Air France to Glasgow Airport today is fantastic
– both for the city and our customers. Air France is a major player in the world
of aviation with an extensive route network through its hub at Paris Charles de
Gaulle into important global markets such as South America, China, India and
Africa.

"The airline’s introduction of a daily service from Glasgow Airport this summer
will play a crucial role in encouraging export led-growth, attracting further
inward investment and supporting Scotland’s burgeoning tourism industry.
Glasgow is the economic powerhouse of Scotland and the arrival of the French
national flag carrier will further boost our connectivity with the world. We are
looking forward to working with Air France to ensure the success of this exciting
new service.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said:

“The arrival of Air France’s inaugural Paris flight into Glasgow is a significant
boost for the city’s economy. Securing France’s national air carrier and the
introduction of a direct daily, year-round service will further strengthen cultural
and business links between Paris, Glasgow and the wider west of Scotland.
There will undoubtedly be strong demand for this service, which has the
potential to deliver considerable inbound leisure and business tourism.

"It will also vastly improve the city’s competitiveness by providing passengers
with greater worldwide connectivity through one of Europe’s largest hub
airports and Air France’s membership of the SkyTeam alliance route network.
Glasgow is constantly striving to grow its air links and connect the city to the
global marketplace. We’re looking forward to working with Air France, Glasgow
Airport and VisitScotland on joint marketing communications activity in the
coming months to ensure the success of this new route.”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the launch of Air France’s direct service from
Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Glasgow Airport. The romance of its dramatic
landscapes and the richness of its culture and traditions make Scotland a
popular destination for visitors from France – currently one of our biggest
European markets and set to deliver strong future growth. Glasgow, too, is
increasingly becoming a must-visit destination for the French traveller,
combining the cultural vibrancy of city life with the stunning scenery of Loch
Lomond & The Trossachs National Park right on its doorstep.

"This new route presents a fantastic opportunity for Scottish tourism to grow
through increased connectivity, not only for our French visitors, but also our
long-haul and emerging markets via the Parisian global hub.”

- ENDS -

Picture caption (please credit Nick Ponty): Glasgow Airport’s managing director
Amanda McMillan and Henri de Peyrelongue, Senior Vice President Europe Air
France celebrate the launch of the new route with highland dancers at Glasgow
Airport.

Nicola Macnaughton

Communications and Public Affairs Manager

Glasgow Airport Limited, Erskine Court, St Andrews Drive, Paisley PA3 2SW

E nicola.macnaughton@glasgowairport.com

M +44 (0)7770 363 023

DD +44 (0)141 848 4737

Notes to Editors

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support

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Contacts

                  Hamish Hutchinson
                  Corporate Press Officer - National
                  Contact for media enquiries on: Business Events/Tourism; Film
                  Tourism; Outer Hebrides
                  hamish.hutchinson@visitscotland.com
                  0131 472 2283
                  Out of hours - 0131 472 2324