Following the announcement towards the end of last year of Air France’s partnership with Vietnam Airlines, the French carrier has released details of another Asian collaboration, this time with China Airlines – who have agreed to a codeshare on direct flights between Taipei and Paris for the first time.
The maiden flight of the Tapei-Paris route hit the tarmac at 8:15 AM on 17 April, with China Airlines president Su-Chien Hsieh; Air France KLM senior vice president for Asia Pacific, Antoine Pussiau; Air France KLM senior vice president of alliances, Patrick Roux; Taoyuan City Mayor, Wen-tsan Cheng; Bureau Francais de Taipei director Benoit Guidee and Taoyuan International Airport Corporation chairman Dar-Jen Tseng, all present to honour the event.
As the leader of Taiwan's airline industry, China Airlines plays an important role in providing transportation services between Taiwan and France. For this latest foray by Air France into the Taiwan market, China Airlines will serve as its most powerful local partner. With the direct flights expected to expand market demand and foster closer links between France and Taiwan.
Antoine Pussiau, Air France and Steve Chang, China Airlines senior vice president
China Airlines has worked actively with other SkyTeam member airlines and other carriers to create demand for travel and cargo, helping to connect Taiwan with the rest of the world. On top of the Taipei-Paris flight, China Airlines and Air France have also partnered up to provide extensions to Amsterdam and Frankfurt, as well as another codeshare on the Taiwanese carriers Taipei-Sydney and Taipei-Melbourne routes.
China Airlines now offers non-stop European flights to Frankfurt in Germany, Rome in Italy, as well as direct flights to London in the U.K., Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Vienna in Austria.
To celebrate the new flight China Airlines is offering customers a special promotion on Taipei-Paris connection with Economy Class return airfares available from TWD 18,000 or US$ 613 (before tax) via www.china-airlines.com
