Air France Finally in Liberia

Following the decision by the French and European authorities to progressively lift air traffic restrictions in Europe, Air France has now guarantee a nearly normal flight schedule throughout its network in Africa.

The Leading global airliner on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, resumed flight services to Monrovia, bringing to an end 19 years of flight suspension.

The French airliner has also announced deep expansion of its offer of services to West Africa with the launch of routes to Freetown, Sierra Leone, as well as increasing frequencies to Conakry, Guinea.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the official resumption at the Roberts International Airport, the Director General of the airline, Pierre Descazeaux said the airline has been on the African continent for the past 75 years.

He said on 19 April 2011, Air France  began flying to Freetown twice weekly (Tuesdays & Sundays) via Conakry, and from 20 April 2011, Air France started flying to Monrovia –  twice weekly (Wednesdays & Fridays) via Conakry.

He said both KLM and Air France were the two new Air France routes, and the daily services to Guinea illustrated the confidence AIR FRANCE KLM has in the development of the West African region.

“Our commitment to offer our customers even more choice and destinations goes hand-in-hand with our desire to accompany the growth in economic relations between the African continent and the rest of the world,” he noted.

He added that flights to Conakry, Nouakchott, Freetown and Monrovia will be operated by Airbus A330-200 with 208 seats, in Air France’s three long-haul cabin classes (40 seats in Business, 21 in Premium Voyageur and 147 in Voyageur).

According to him, the joint airliners have recorded 4% increase in capacity in summer 2011, 38 destinations served by Air France or KLM, and an even wider range of 45 destinations in Africa thanks to partnerships with Kenya Airways (Kenya), Comair (South Africa) and TAAG (Angola). Air France was founded in 1933 and began operations in the country in 1937. The airliner started flying as an aircraft in the country in 1947.

Also speaking at the program, Vice President Joseph Boakai praised the management of Air France for confidence imposed in Liberia for allowing one of the World biggest airlines to resume flights in Liberia.

VP Boakai said Air France presence here means that Liberia was now saver for big airlines to come and do business here. The Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Richelieu Williams said Liberians should expect more big airlines to come to Liberia. He noted that Fly Emirates was also expected in Liberia very soon.