MALAYSIA Airlines’ (MAS) monopoly on the Kuala Lumpur–Paris (Charles de Gaulle) sector will come to an end once Air France launches thrice-weekly services on April 22, 2013.
The Air France service will be operated on Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 247 seats – four in La Première, 49 in business, 24 in premium economy and 170 in economy. Ticket bookings will available from November 9, 2012.
Currently, MAS operates daily flights on this route – also using the B777-200, but with a higher seat capacity of 282.
Air France’s entry will almost double available seat capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Paris, and will also complement existing Kuala Lumpur-Amsterdam services operated by partner carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Yap Sook Ling, managing director, Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, said: “The increase in seat capacity will create more interest from French organisers to hold incentives in Malaysia. It will also be good for inbound players, as French FITs tend to be more adventurous and visit the outskirts, and not stick to the main tourist areas.”
Desmond Lee, group managing director, Apple Vacations & Conventions, said: “The added capacity will make it easier to block seats for groups of 100 pax intending to travel to Paris on a direct flight.”
“During peak season, it is not easy to get seats on Malaysia Airlines, and we (usually) have to break the group up and travel via Dubai, Doha or Singapore. With the added capacity, there will be a better chance of flying to Paris and onward to Central Europe.”
In a separate development, Malaysia Airlines will become a full member of oneworld with effect from February 1, 2013.
