Following the success of its service to Arizona, <a href="https://www.airfrance.com/">Air France</a> increases its nonstop flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Phoenix-Sky Harbor starting in May.
The French airline began the connection between Paris and Phoenix on May 23, 2024, with three weekly flights. Initially, the service was operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with 279 seats. Due to the high demand for this route, Air France decided to increase capacity for the winter season by introducing Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with 328 seats.
By May 2025, the service will increase from three to five weekly flights and will be operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 324 seats in three classes: 34 Business Class, 24 Premium, and 266 Economy. Flights will depart Paris at 10:45 and arrive in Phoenix at 12:50, then depart Phoenix at 15:05 to land in the French capital the following day at 10:10.
“Within a year of launching its service to Paris, Air France will have nearly doubled the capacity on the Phoenix-Paris route. The airline has been a fantastic addition to our airport, and we are grateful for their trust and investment in our market. This increase means our passengers will have more options and competitive fares not only to fly to France but also to the other 190 destinations Air France serves beyond Paris,” said Phoenix&#8217;s Director of Aviation, Chad Makovsky.
This route complements the existing transatlantic operations at Phoenix-Sky Harbor by American Airlines and British Airways from London-Heathrow and Condor from Frankfurt. Additionally, this increase in service facilitates connections in the United States with its codeshare partner Delta Air Lines and destinations in Europe and beyond with its sister airline, KLM.
International flights at Phoenix add more than $3 billion to the local economy annually, according to the airport&#8217;s latest economic impact study. The service, operated three times a week year-round, has an estimated annual economic impact of $70 million. With the increased frequency and aircraft size starting in May, the route will now have an estimated annual economic impact of $103 million statewide.
Air France in the United States also serves Atlanta, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Newark, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Washington-Dulles, and Orlando (starting May 21, 2025).
«Air France is very pleased with the Phoenix-Paris route, and we are excited to increase the frequency. This capacity increase symbolizes our commitment to enhancing transatlantic travel connections. We look forward to soon offering more passengers from Phoenix an experience that incorporates the best of French elegance,» said Boaz Hulsman, Vice President of North America Sales at Air France-KLM.
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/luxury-and-sustainability-air-france-introduces-award-winning-amenity-kits/">Air France presents its new sustainable and exclusive comfort kits for long-haul flights</a>

Air France Boosts Nonstop Service Between Paris and Phoenix

Air France will introduce new comfort kits in its La Première, Business, and Premium cabins for long-haul flights, highlighting a combination of elegance, functionality, and a focus on sustainability by using recycled materials.
<h3>La Première: award-winning luxury on board</h3>
In the La Première cabin, passengers will receive an exclusive gift box that has been awarded the Gold Award at the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards 2024. Available in the airline&#8217;s signature colors – Air France red and pearl gray – the design features the embossed winged seahorse, a historical symbol of the company.
The kit’s contents were developed in collaboration with Sisley, the renowned French phyto-cosmetics brand. The box includes:
<ul>
<li>Restorative hand cream,</li>
<li>Eye contour balm,</li>
<li>Intensive hydrating serum Hydra-Global,</li>
<li>Anti-aging cream “All Day, All Year.”</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-349002 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France.jpg 1920w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/2-Coffret-La-Premiere-©Air-France-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
Additionally, passengers will find a La Première pen, a wooden comb, earplugs, and a sleep mask, elements designed to offer maximum comfort.
<h3>Business: modern design and recycled materials</h3>
In the Business cabin, Air France presents two kit models, both made with over 90% recycled materials. Inspired by the airline&#8217;s colors, the designs feature navy blue and white tones with red accents and the winged seahorse symbol.
Each kit contains:
<ul>
<li>Earplugs,</li>
<li>Sleep mask made with recycled material,</li>
<li>Bamboo toothbrush and organic toothpaste,</li>
<li>Clarins beauty products: “Beauty Flash” balm and mattifying hydrating gel in travel size,</li>
<li>Kraft pen and socks made with recycled materials.</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-349004 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France.jpg 1600w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France-300x200.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France-768x512.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/5-Trousse-Business-©Air-France-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />
<h3>Premium: simplicity and sustainability</h3>
In the Premium cabin, Air France offers a simple and elegant kit, available in Air France blue and horizon blue, with embroidered details and a red accent on the zipper. As in Business class, the kit is made with over 90% recycled materials.
The contents include:
<ul>
<li>Earplugs,</li>
<li>Toothbrush and toothpaste,</li>
<li>Socks made with recycled materials,</li>
<li>Sleep mask.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Luxury and Sustainability: Air France Introduces Award-Winning Amenity Kits

The Embassy of Pakistan in France announced on Monday that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to resume its regular flights to Paris, marking its return to the European Union.
This became possible after the European Commission <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/tras-cuatro-anos-de-prohibicion-pia-vuelve-a-volar-a-paises-de-la-union-europea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to remove the airline from the list of banned carriers within the EU</a>, citing that both PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) have made «substantial progress in improving safety performance and oversight capabilities.»
PIA will operate two weekly flights (Fridays and Sundays) between Islamabad (ISB) and Paris (CDG) starting January 10, 2025.
«The direct flights between Pakistan and France will facilitate travel and contribute to enhancing business, tourism, family visits, and people-to-people contacts«, stated an announcement posted on the official Twitter account of the embassy. «Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad held a meeting with the PIA marketing representative to discuss preparations for the flight to be operational in January 2025«, it added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Good news &#8211; Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume operation to Paris. Direct flights between ???? will facilitate travel &amp; contribute towards enhancing business, tourism, family visits and people-people contacts. Amb <a href="https://twitter.com/Asimiahmad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Asimiahmad</a> held a meeting with PIA marketing rep… <a href="https://t.co/L2ZUtzifEA">pic.twitter.com/L2ZUtzifEA</a>
— Pakistan Embassy France (@PakinFrance) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakinFrance/status/1868228787688624154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nevertheless, Pakistan&#8217;s state-owned airline faces operational challenges, with nearly half of its fleet grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Earlier this year, a privatization attempt failed, attracting only a bid of PKR 10 billion, well below the reserve price. This led to the rejection of the proposal and a decision to launch a new bidding round.
Launched in the 1960s as a symbol of national pride, PIA has struggled for years with mismanagement, political interference, and overstaffing, accumulating debts of around $3 billion.
Last year, the airline reported losses of $270 million. Additionally, its aging fleet remains a persistent issue, leading to cancellations and rescheduling of flights due to debts owed to the state oil company, Pakistan State Oil.
Currently, the flight offerings between Pakistan and Europe are as follows:
<ul>
<li>British Airways
<ul>
<li>3 weekly flights between London Gatwick and Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Pegasus
<ul>
<li>4 weekly flights between Istanbul (SAW) and Karachi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Turkish Airlines
<ul>
<li>10 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Islamabad.</li>
<li>7 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Karachi.</li>
<li>11 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Lahore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
This represents a weekly offering of approximately 18,000 seats.

Pakistan International Airlines Begins Selling Tickets for Its Return to Europe

Aircalin, the flag carrier of New Caledonia, has confirmed an order for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft to support the modernization of its fleet and the expansion of its long-haul route network. This move represents a key step in the company’s strategy to increase its operational capacity and introduce ultra-long-haul flights.
Currently, Aircalin’s wide-body fleet consists of two Airbus A330neo aircraft. The new A350s will be configured in a premium three-class design, accommodating over 320 passengers, including an expanded business class. This configuration will represent a 15% increase in capacity compared to the A330neo.
“These aircraft are essential for operating our recently inaugurated Nouméa-Paris route via Bangkok. They will open the doors to ultra-long-haul flights and allow Aircalin to continue its development strategy,” stated Georges Selefen, CEO of Aircalin.
The A350-900 will be central to Aircalin’s growth plans. The 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, operating costs, and CO₂ emissions, compared to previous-generation aircraft, will enable the airline to operate its current routes with better margins and explore high-demand destinations with additional seating capacity.
Meanwhile, Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President of Sales at Airbus Commercial Aircraft, emphasized: “The A350 will enable Aircalin to further develop its potential and open new long-haul routes. This order is yet another testament to the unmatched efficiency and comfort the A350 offers.”
The A350 is already capable of operating with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and Airbus aims to achieve 100% compatibility by 2030. As of November 2024, more than 1,300 A350 aircraft had been ordered by 61 customers worldwide.

New Caledonia’s Aircalin Orders Airbus A350s to Modernize Fleet

<a href="https://www.saudia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saudia</a> and the Air France-KLM Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), as well as in commercial agreements.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and included various authorities, such as the Chairman of the Board of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, and the CEO of the Saudia Group, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar. On behalf of the companies, the agreement was signed by Captain Fahd Cynndy, CEO of Saudia Technic, and Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President of Air France-KLM Engineering &amp; Maintenance.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-347413" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-300x200.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-768x512.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
Location of MRO capabilities in the Kingdom
According to Saudia, the agreement aims to strengthen its local maintenance capabilities, including GE90 engine module assembly and disassembly tasks, used on Boeing 777 aircraft. The Saudi airline details that it will assign at least 50% of these work orders to Air France-KLM in exchange for localization processes in Saudi Arabia. In addition, both parties will explore the creation of a joint venture for GEnx engines, installed on Boeing 787s.
Saudia also highlights its current capability to maintain CFM LEAP-1A engines, used on the Airbus A320neo family, as a demonstration of its development in the MRO sector.
Expansion of commercial agreements and connectivity
In the commercial field, the MOU includes the expansion of the codeshare agreement between Saudia and Air France-KLM, members of the SkyTeam alliance. This effort will increase available domestic and international routes, as well as improve connectivity and flight frequency. Additionally, it aims to optimize Saudia&#8217;s operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience.
Strategic vision aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, CEO of Saudia Group, stated that “this agreement reflects the visionary leadership of the Saudia Group board, led by its chairman, H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics. It is aligned with the Saudi Aviation Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s aviation sector.”
For his part, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, emphasized that “Saudia is a historic partner of Air France-KLM. In the context of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s accelerated development, we see a mutual interest in expanding our commercial cooperation and sharing expertise, especially in strategic activities like MRO.”
<h4>Flights between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia</h4>
Currently, air connectivity between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia is covered by KLM, Saudia, Transavia France, and Flynas.
Saudia
<ul>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Paris-CDG: one daily flight with Boeing 787-8 / 787-9</li>
<li>Madinah &#8211; Paris-CDG: one weekly flight with Boeing 787-9.</li>
<li>Riyadh &#8211; Paris-CDG: one daily flight with Boeing 777-300.</li>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Amsterdam: four weekly flights with Boeing 787-8 / 787-9.</li>
</ul>
Transavia France (part of the Air France-KLM group)
<ul>
<li>Lyon &#8211; Jeddah: one weekly flight with Boeing 737-800.</li>
<li>Paris-Orly &#8211; Jeddah: two weekly flights with Boeing 737-800.</li>
</ul>
Flynas
<ul>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Marseille: three weekly flights with Airbus A320neo.</li>
</ul>
KLM
<ul>
<li>Amsterdam &#8211; Riyadh: six weekly flights with Airbus A330-200 / A330-300.</li>
</ul>
This represents a total offer of around 18,000 seats per week.
&nbsp;

Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air France-KLM Forge New Strategic Aviation Agreement

Safran invests 720 million pesos in the expansion of its plant in Querétaro, creating 128 specialized jobs. This site will be key for the assembly of Airbus LEAP 1A engines, strengthening the state as a strategic hub.
Safran Aircraft Engines México inaugurated a new extension of its plant in Querétaro, cementing its position as a cornerstone of the country’s aerospace industry. The project was announced during the FIA Farnborough.
The General Manager of Safran Aircraft Engines México, Marcial Suárez, emphasized that the expansion will enable the final assembly of LEAP 1A engines, destined for aircraft in the Airbus family, making it the first site in Mexico with this capability.
<h4>Assembly of 100 engines</h4>
Jean-Francois Locufier, assembly director, revealed plans to assemble 100 LEAP 1A engines by 2027, thanks to the collaboration between Mexican and French teams. This achievement reinforces Querétaro as one of the three key centers for Safran, alongside France and the United States.
With this expansion, Safran reaffirms its trust in Querétaro, a region that, according to SEDESU head Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, is improving its quality of life through formal employment and industrial innovation.
This development, celebrating 15 years of Safran’s presence in Mexico, marks a milestone in solidifying the state as a global leader in the aerospace sector.

Safran Expands Querétaro Plant with $720 Million Investment, Creating 128 Jobs

An unregistered passenger managed to board a flight operated by Delta Air Lines at New York&#8217;s JFK Airport, bound for Paris, France, and was not detected by the crew until the plane was nearly landing after a seven-hour flight. The incident was initially reported by aviation insider Jon NYC on social media.
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:hpdpc63sv6vk2l4biga74tnx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbx6jq6zv22a" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreicfsrkoh6xujm26hn3bohqxtfapyjiuk5crqouyjdysmcmdcmt5xa">

&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:hpdpc63sv6vk2l4biga74tnx?ref_src=embed">JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:hpdpc63sv6vk2l4biga74tnx/post/3lbx6jq6zv22a?ref_src=embed">2024-11-27T18:27:47.676Z</a></blockquote>
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Delta Air Lines flight DL264 took off shortly before 11:00 PM on Tuesday and landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport around 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Upon arrival, passengers were instructed to remain in their seats while police were called to handle the stowaway situation, according to a report from our associated outlet, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/xjonnyc.bsky.social/post/3lbx6jq6zv22a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>.
In a recording made by one of the passengers, the flight&#8217;s captain informs via the public announcement system that everyone must remain seated «until we resolve the situation of the extra passenger on board.»
Although the stowaway has not yet been identified, it is believed to be a woman who managed to avoid detection by hiding in one of the plane’s lavatories. According to a source cited by Jon NYC, the crew began to suspect when the passenger spent an extended time in the bathroom, exiting only to move to another one.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that an individual managed to pass through security screening at JFK Airport without a boarding pass, bypassing detection at two identity verification checkpoints before boarding the flight.
“The TSA can confirm that an individual without a boarding pass successfully completed the airport security screening process without carrying prohibited items,” the TSA statement said. “The individual bypassed two identity and boarding status verification stations and managed to board the plane,” it added. Police are now investigating the case.
When consulted by <a href="https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/11/27/stowaway-managed-to-sneak-onboard-transatlantic-delta-air-flight-at-new-york-jfk-and-wasnt-noticed-until-the-plane-was-almost-in-paris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PYOK</a>, Delta stated that “nothing is more important than safety. That is why Delta is conducting a thorough investigation into what may have occurred and will work in collaboration with other aviation stakeholders and authorities to this end.”
This is not the first incident involving a stowaway on Delta flights. In March, a 26-year-old man managed to board a flight without a ticket in Salt Lake City after photographing a boarding pass belonging to a child and using the barcode to scan himself through the gate.

Delta Air Lines Investigates Security Breach After Stowaway Found Mid-Flight

Globalia, the business group that owns Air Europa, has signed a capital increase worth €65 million to help the airline overcome financial difficulties that threatened to lead to its dissolution. This operation, which falls under the corporate moratorium set to expire at the end of 2024, aims to clean up the company’s balance sheet and ensure its long-term viability.
The airline, which ended 2023 with a negative net equity of €500 million despite generating profits of €150 million, is now in a stronger position thanks to this capital injection. According to a statement issued by Globalia, the measure will enable Air Europa to strengthen its expansion plans and meet its financial commitments in the future.
In parallel, the airline is exploring strategic options for its future, including a potential collaboration with the Air France-KLM group. Through this partnership, the French airline could acquire a minority stake in Air Europa’s capital, allowing it to establish a presence at Barajas Airport, one of Iberia’s major hubs and a competitor of IAG, Iberia’s parent company. However, according to Juan José Hidalgo, President of Globalia, speaking to the Mallorcan newspaper Última Hora, discussions are also ongoing with Lufthansa and Etihad Airways.
“It&#8217;s true that we have three companies interested in acquiring 20% of Air Europa, and we are listening to their proposals. It is also true that we do not need to sell any share packages. In any case, Globalia would always retain 51% of the shares,” the group’s head told the media outlet.
Uncertainty remains regarding the role of IAG in this process. The parent company of Iberia has owned 20% of Air Europa since 2023, when it executed a €100 million convertible loan. However, its attempt to acquire 100% of the airline failed last August due to obstacles posed by the European Commission. Despite this, IAG has yet to decide whether to maintain its stake or sell its shares in the long term.
The capital increase and financial rescue also include loans totaling €475 million, which, along with 2024 profits, should allow the company to regain balance and avoid dissolution. Jesús Nuño de la Rosa, CEO of Air Europa, stated last May that if the airline continued its positive trend, it would be able to meet its commitments independently.
Hidalgo emphasized that the capital increase gives the airline greater security to face an unstable market, expressing confidence that there is still room for growth.

Air Europa Explores Strategic Partnerships with Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and Etihad

Globalia and the Air France-KLM group are in talks to allow the latter to acquire a minority stake in Air Europa, the Spanish airline 80% controlled by the Hidalgo family, according to the Spanish newspaper <a href="https://www.expansion.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Expansión</a>. This operation could improve Air Europa&#8217;s delicate financial situation and mark the beginning of a deeper future alliance between the two companies, both currently members of the SkyTeam alliance.
Although no official details have been confirmed, sources from Air France-KLM acknowledged to Expansión that there are «ongoing discussions» and that both companies have identified «a common interest in strengthening their commercial cooperation.» The entry of the Franco-Dutch group could alleviate Air Europa&#8217;s financial troubles, which ended 2023 with a negative net worth of 500 million euros.
Air Europa has faced significant challenges since its acquisition by IAG, the parent company of Iberia and British Airways, fell through due to European Union regulatory concerns. The group retains 20% of the airline&#8217;s capital.
<h4>Opportunity for Air France-KLM</h4>
The entry of Air France-KLM could represent a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Spanish market, particularly at Madrid-Barajas Airport, Air Europa&#8217;s main base and a key hub for competition with Iberia. The Franco-Dutch group had already shown interest in the airline in the past, but its efforts were put on hold during IAG&#8217;s exclusive negotiations.
Sources from Air France-KLM cited by Expansión emphasized that the failure of IAG&#8217;s purchase «opens a new scenario» and highlighted the «long history of commercial partnership» between both groups.
<h4>A challenging moment for all</h4>
Although the potential investment by Air France-KLM could ease Air Europa&#8217;s situation, both companies face challenges in the current context. According to Expansión, Air France-KLM&#8217;s profits have fallen by 68% in the first nine months of the year, contrasting with an 8% increase recorded by IAG during the same period.
Meanwhile, Air Europa&#8217;s future remains uncertain. While its CEO, Jesús Nuño de la Rosa, has stated that the company is capable of meeting its financial commitments independently, the Hidalgo family seems determined to divest the airline.
The entry of Air France-KLM could redefine the competitive landscape in Spain and Europe, delivering a significant blow to IAG on its own strategic turf.

Air France-KLM Targets Spanish Market with Potential Air Europa Deal

<a href="https://www.volotea.com/es/ofertas-vuelos/desde-bilbao/">Volotea</a> announced its offering for the summer 2025 season from Palermo (PMO), Italy, adding two new destinations: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/tag/bilbao/">Bilbao (BIO)</a>, Spain, and Heraklion (HER), Greece, strengthening its presence in Sicily while now connecting to the Basque Country and the island of Crete.
Specifically, the Palermo-Bilbao route will be operational starting April 12, 2025, with two weekly flights (Tuesdays and Saturdays), offering over 20,500 seats. This marks the first Spanish destination that Volotea offers from Palermo. The connection with Heraklion, however, will be available from July 8, 2025, to August 26, with a weekly flight (Tuesdays) and a capacity of 2,880 seats for sale.
Bilbao will be the fifth Spanish city with flights from Palermo, joining connections to Barcelona (Ryanair and Vueling), Madrid (Iberia and Ryanair), Palma de Mallorca (EasyJet), and Valencia (Ryanair).
<h4>Volotea prepares to close a year marked by growth in Palermo</h4>
<a href="https://aviacionline.com/tag/volotea/">Volotea</a> highlighted its strong performance in Palermo between January and October 2024. According to the airline, it carried over 443,000 passengers (+15% compared to 2023) on 2,800 flights (+15%) with a capacity of 481,000 seats (+15%). Its load factor reached 92%, and during the peak activity period, it employed 42 people at Falcone e Borsellino Airport.
By the end of 2024, the company projects reaching 501,000 passengers, a 16% increase compared to the previous year, with nearly 3,200 flights and a total capacity of 543,000 seats.
“Palermo represents a very important city for our growth objectives: here we opened our second Italian operational base in March 2013, and since then, we have consistently confirmed our commitment locally. To date, we can say we have transported a total of more than 5.2 million passengers to Palermo, and we obviously do not intend to stop here,” said Valeria Rebasti, Volotea’s International Market Director.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346010" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Flightmap-BIO-PMO-HER-ATH-PMO-BES_BOD-PMO-FLR_JTR-PMO-LDE_LIL-PMO-LYS_NAP-PMO-NTE_OLB-PMO-SXB_TLS-PMO-VRN_ZTH-PMO.png" alt="" width="1200" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-BIO-PMO-HER-ATH-PMO-BES_BOD-PMO-FLR_JTR-PMO-LDE_LIL-PMO-LYS_NAP-PMO-NTE_OLB-PMO-SXB_TLS-PMO-VRN_ZTH-PMO.png 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-BIO-PMO-HER-ATH-PMO-BES_BOD-PMO-FLR_JTR-PMO-LDE_LIL-PMO-LYS_NAP-PMO-NTE_OLB-PMO-SXB_TLS-PMO-VRN_ZTH-PMO-300x150.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-BIO-PMO-HER-ATH-PMO-BES_BOD-PMO-FLR_JTR-PMO-LDE_LIL-PMO-LYS_NAP-PMO-NTE_OLB-PMO-SXB_TLS-PMO-VRN_ZTH-PMO-768x384.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-BIO-PMO-HER-ATH-PMO-BES_BOD-PMO-FLR_JTR-PMO-LDE_LIL-PMO-LYS_NAP-PMO-NTE_OLB-PMO-SXB_TLS-PMO-VRN_ZTH-PMO-150x75.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
According to the Cirium platform, Volotea’s busiest period in Palermo will be July and August, connecting it to 17 destinations:
<ul>
<li>Spain: Bilbao.</li>
<li>France: Brest, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Lille, Lourdes, Lyon, Nantes, and Toulouse.</li>
<li>Greece: Athens, Heraklion, Thira, and Zakynthos.</li>
<li>Italy: Florence, Naples, Olbia, and Verona.</li>
</ul>
This season, Ancona, Deauville, Nice, and Turin will not be featured. Instead, Venice will operate from December to January.

Discover Volotea’s Summer 2025 Plans: New Flights to Spain and Greece

<a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/20-anos-del-grupo-air-france-klm-crecimiento-sostenible-en-sudamerica-y-mas-alla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air France</a> inaugurated its service between Paris (CDG) and Kilimanjaro (KIA), Tanzania, after 28 years since its last flight to the city, known as one of the most important tourist attractions on the African continent.
The airline operates three weekly flights between the French capital and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, using Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a capacity of 324 passengers in three classes.
The route is operated in a triangular fashion, departing from Paris to Zanzibar (ZNZ), then continuing to Kilimanjaro and returning to Paris.
The new route replaces the former Air France connection that linked Paris with Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, a coastal city in Tanzania, which will be available to Air France-KLM customers from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, operated by KLM with six weekly flights.
Kilimanjaro is one of Africa&#8217;s top tourist destinations, featuring the iconic mountain located less than 50 kilometers from the airport and visible during the aircraft&#8217;s approach whenever weather permits. The Kilimanjaro National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as the starting point for wildlife safaris and trekking expeditions to the mountain.
In addition to flights operated by <a href="https://wwws.airfrance.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air France</a>, Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) also offers services from major global airlines such as KLM, Qatar Airways, Edelweiss Air, Discover Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines.

Explore Tanzania: Air France Connects Paris to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

French and South African investigators are analyzing an in-flight incident that occurred on October 27, involving a South African Airways (SAA) Airbus A330-300, which experienced attitude oscillations during the cruise phase of a domestic flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The aircraft, registered as ZS-SXJ, was cruising at an altitude of 41,000 feet (FL410) when it began oscillating between “nose-up” and “nose-down” movements. According to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) of France, these movements gradually increased in intensity.
The co-pilot, who was in control, noticed that the speed trend vector increased by approximately 40 knots, entering the maximum speed protection range (overspeed). To avoid an overspeed event, the autopilot was disengaged, and the aircraft was manually controlled to reduce the pitch to about 1.5-2 degrees, which stopped the acceleration.
However, shortly afterward, the trend vector indicated the opposite variation, with a reduction of 40-50 knots toward the angle of attack protection range (Vls/Vprot).
The flight continued to its destination, OR Tambo International Airport (FAOR), where it landed safely. However, four occupants of the aircraft sustained minor injuries during the event.
The investigation is being led by South African authorities, with support from the BEA. Investigators aim to determine the exact causes of these attitude oscillations, which could include technical factors, environmental influences, or control system errors.
<h4>Significance of the investigation</h4>
This type of analysis is crucial to understanding the underlying factors that may have contributed to the flight&#8217;s instability. Additionally, it will enable the implementation of corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The aircraft involved, an Airbus A330-300, is frequently used for long-haul flights and has proven to be reliable, making this event unusual and warranting thorough investigation.

Airbus A330 Incident: South African Airways Flight’s Turbulent Cruise Phase Explained

With an elegant event held in Buenos Aires, Air France and KLM celebrate 20 years of partnership, solidifying their position in Argentina and South America. With an operation of 14 weekly flights in Argentina and a total of 66 flights in the region during the winter 2024/2025 season, the airlines stand out for their focus on sustainability, fleet modernization, and innovative services.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-345318 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV.jpg" alt="Air France KLM Team Lackman" width="2048" height="1365" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV.jpg 2048w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV-300x200.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV-768x512.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/AFKL-evento-prensa-5NOV-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" />
Both airlines utilize the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on their routes to Argentina, an aircraft renowned for its efficiency and lower environmental impact. According to the Air France-KLM Group, this model reduces CO2 emissions by 25% and minimizes noise, aligning with the growing demand in the Argentine market and the group’s sustainability goals.
Additionally, Air France plans to progressively introduce a free ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi service by 2025, provided by Starlink, offering connectivity similar to ground-based experiences across all cabins.
<h4>Innovation in customer experience</h4>
Among the updates for passengers, KLM highlights its Premium Comfort class, an intermediate option between Economy and Business, featuring wider seats, more legroom, and larger screens. This cabin aims to offer greater comfort and privacy, with capacity for 21 to 28 passengers, depending on the aircraft model.
Meanwhile, Air France has launched the Conciergerie service, designed to enhance the airport experience. This includes personalized assistance from private airport transfers to boarding, as well as access to priority lanes at security checkpoints.
“This year, Air France and KLM celebrate 20 years of partnership, and we have achieved many good things. For example, in South America, including Argentina, we are positioned as the second-largest long-haul flight region after North America. During the first semester, both airlines demonstrated a load factor of over 90%. We are making great strides to provide customers who choose Air France and KLM to connect with the world with the latest technological advancements, cutting-edge features, and onboard comfort,” commented Pia Lackman, Country Manager for Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay &amp; Bolivia for the Air France-KLM Group.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-345316 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II.jpg" alt="" width="1365" height="2048" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II.jpg 1365w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II-200x300.jpg 200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II-600x900.jpg 600w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Pia-Lackman-AFKL-II-150x225.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px" />
The Air France-KLM Group connects 328 destinations in 118 countries: Air France operates in 173 destinations, and KLM in 155. During the first semester of 2024, both airlines achieved a load factor of over 90%, positioning the region as the group’s second-largest long-haul flight market after North America.
As part of their 20th-anniversary celebrations, the group continues to expand operations in South America. With a fleet of 554 aircraft and three key areas of expertise—passenger transport, cargo, and maintenance—Air France-KLM continues to connect Europe and the region with high-quality service.

20 Years of Air France-KLM: Expanding South America’s Connectivity with Modern Fleet

Air France is expanding its offering in South America with the inauguration of non-stop flights between Paris and Salvador de Bahia, its fifth destination in Brazil, after Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos, Fortaleza and Belem (operated via Cayenne).
Flight AF 476 was operated by an Airbus A350 registered as F-HTYL and named “Pointe-à-Pitre”, which left Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:07 local time on October 28 and arrived at Salvador International Airport at 16:20, after nine hours and twelve minutes.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-343155" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1730475533604-1200x900.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="900" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1730475533604-1200x900.jpeg 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1730475533604-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1730475533604-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1730475533604-150x113.jpeg 150w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1730475533604.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
Air France is the third European airline to offer scheduled passenger flights at Salvador International Airport, complementing the services of TAP Air Portugal from Lisbon and Air Europa from Madrid. In addition, LOT Polish Airlines offers charter flights from Warsaw
“The Air France flight connects Bahia with the world. It represents a historic milestone for Bahia tourism, the result of the collaboration between the State Government, the French airline and Vinci Airports,” highlighted Maurício Bacelar, Bahia&#8217;s Secretary of Tourism.
<h3>Flight schedule between Paris (CDG) and Salvador de Bahia (SSA)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Flight AF 476: CDG 10:25 &#8211; SSA 16:40 Monday, Thursday and Saturday.</li>
<li>Flight AF 465: SSA 18:50 &#8211; CDG 08:20+1 Monday, Thursday and Saturday.</li>
</ul>
The route is operated on Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a capacity of 324 seats in three classes: 34 Business Class, 24 Premium and 266 Economy.
For this December, Air France will have a total of 33 weekly flights to Brazil operating from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos (two daily flights), Rio de Janeiro (10 weekly flights), Fortaleza (5 weekly flights), Salvador de Bahia (3 weekly flights) and from Cayenne, French Guiana to Belem (one weekly frequency).
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/10/air-france-to-fly-new-cabin-airbus-a350-to-south-america/">Air France to fly new-cabin Airbus A350 to South America</a>

Air France inaugurates flights to Salvador de Bahia, its fifth destination in Brazil

Air France is boosting its premium offering in Brazil by scheduling the Airbus A350-900 with renewed cabins between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and São Paulo-Guarulhos from 31 October 2024, giving customers a better travel experience.
“We are investing in the route to the capital of São Paulo by renovating the Business class to offer more seats and comfort in the cabin. Air France&#8217;s goal is to provide even more quality, comfort, and privacy to customers departing and arriving from Air France&#8217;s most frequent city in South America. The new product is already available in a few selected locations, and Brazil is one of the focuses. Rio de Janeiro, for example, was one of the first destinations in the world to receive the new cabin, in January last year,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvainmathias/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sylvain Mathias, Air France-KLM Group&#8217;s commercial director in South America.</a>
The A350 with new cabins will operate one of the French airline&#8217;s two daily flights (AF454/AF453), the other service will be operated on four-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Air France&#8217;s new A350 configuration has 48 Business Class seats, 32 Premium Economy, and 212 Economy seats.
The Business Class seat has been updated under the three “F” concept.
<ul>
<li>Full Flat: the seat transforms into a completely flat bed almost two metres long.</li>
<li>Full Access: allows all passengers direct access to the aisle;</li>
<li>Full Privacy: guarantees more privacy, as a new sliding door allows passengers to create a completely private space, out of sight of other passengers in the cabin.</li>
</ul>
According to Cirium’s mi.diio app, Air France A350s with new cabins will also fly to Atlanta, Tokyo-Haneda, Mexico City, Detroit, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Boston, Boston, Newark, Hong Kong, Houston-Intercontinental, Seoul-Incheon, New York-JFK, Osaka-Kansai, Los Angeles and Montreal.
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/air-france-rebrands-its-premium-economy-as-premium/">Air France rebrands its Premium Economy as “Premium”</a>

Air France to fly new-cabin Airbus A350 to South America

Air France launched its Premium Economy cabin in 2009, now renamed “Premium”, highlighting the high standards of comfort and the Premium status of the entire fleet of the French airline and in the long-haul segment.
The latest reclining seat in the Premium cabin is installed on some Boeing 7777 and Airbus A350 aircraft. The seat back reclines up to 124 degrees, there is also between 94 and 97 centimetres of legroom and an adjustable footrest. Almost 80% of the Air France fleet will have the new Premium cabin seats installed by the end of 2025.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-338138 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2_a350-48j_premium_c_air_france.webp" alt="" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/2_a350-48j_premium_c_air_france.webp 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/2_a350-48j_premium_c_air_france-300x169.webp 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/2_a350-48j_premium_c_air_france-768x432.webp 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/2_a350-48j_premium_c_air_france-150x84.webp 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
&nbsp;
Customers will get a comfort kit offering noise-cancelling headphones, a handset and a pillow. Each seat has a 13.3-inch Ultra HD anti-glare touchscreen with 4K quality and Bluetooth connection installed. Seats feature USB ports and Wi-Fi connectivity is also available.
The airline will be offering a menu with exclusive dishes and a wide selection of wines. A wide selection of non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks will be available during the flight. Customers travelling in the Premium cabin will have the benefits of SkyPriority, a range of priority and simplified services.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/after-two-decades-air-france-returns-to-manila-philippines/">After two decades, Air France returns to Manila, Philippines</a>

Air France rebrands its Premium Economy as “Premium”

Aircalin will offer a direct flight between New Caledonia and France connecting Nouméa to Paris-Charles de Gaulle with a stopover in Bangkok, Thailand. Due to the political crisis in the French overseas territory, the airline has significantly reduced its international offer by canceling its flights to Tokyo-Narita used for connecting, as a result also Air France suspended its services to that destination, consolidating its operation in the Japanese capital at Haneda airport.
As of December 11, 2024, Aircalin will begin flights to Continental Europe on Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with a capacity of 291 seats in three classes: 26 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy, and 244 in Economy. The segment to Bangkok in both directions will not be marketed and will operate as a technical stopover.
The service covers more than 16,000 kilometers and will last between 22 and 26 hours, making it the longest direct domestic flight worldwide, Aircalin is awaiting approval from the Thai authorities to begin marketing this route.
Aircalin and Air France&#8217;s partnership allows connecting Nouméa with Paris-Charles de Gaulle via Singapore&#8217;s Changi Airport, Aircalin is planning a non-stop service between the two destinations, to materialize this flight the airline is looking to obtain either Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 aircraft.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/air-france-ceases-operations-to-tokyo-narita/">Air France ceases operations to Tokyo-Narita</a>

Aircalin schedules the world’s longest domestic flight

Etihad Airways is expanding its offering in France with a second daily flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on a Dreamliner, and the Gulf carrier is resuming Airbus A380 operations to this destination from 1 November 2024. In addition, its codeshare partner Air France is ceasing services to Abu Dhabi on 26 October 2024 for operational reasons.
All flights will offer First Class, Business Class, and Economy cabins, enhancing the premium experience for each traveler and continuing its goal of boosting Abu Dhabi tourism, focusing on the premium segment.
“Paris is a city that epitomizes elegance and sophistication, and we are delighted to offer two daily flights that provide our guests with a premium travel experience. The return of the A380 to Paris, followed by the addition of our three-class 787-9 Dreamliner, underlines our commitment to offering our customers the very best in service, connectivity, and comfort, and enhances both business and leisure travel, offering seamless connectivity to our growing network in the GCC, Asia and beyond,” said Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways.
<h3>Schedule of the second daily flight between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Paris (CDG)</h3>
It starts from 15 January 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight EY33: AUH 14:20 &#8211; CDG 19:10</li>
<li>Flight EY35: CDG 20:45 &#8211; AUH 06:25+1</li>
</ul>
The three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner The new airline has a capacity of 226 passengers: 8 First Class, 28 Business Class and 190 in Economy. This new frequency optimises connections in the Gulf region and Asia, consolidating Abu Dhabi as a key hub for international travel.
See also: <a style="color: #ff9900;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/etihad-airways-launches-two-new-european-routes/">Etihad Airways launches two new European routes</a>

France