Air France brings A380 to Africa

Air France has become the first airline to operate an Airbus A380 flight to Africa.

The carrier flew the aircraft from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on February 17th, landing in Johannesburg, South Africa the following day.

Air France's A380 - which is equipped with 538 seats in three classes - will now operate three of the carrier's ten weekly flights to Johannesburg from Paris up to March 28th.

The airline plans to put its third Airbus superjumbo into service at the end of April, at which time the aircraft will be used to operate all connections on the route between France and South Africa.

New York was the first destination to be served by the Air France A380, with flights to the US city starting in November last year.

Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, chief executive of the Air France-KLM group, said: "The entry into service of the A380 between Paris and Johannesburg, just after New York in November 2009, illustrates the importance Air France attaches to its services to Africa and in particular South Africa, where Air France has been present since 1953.

"It is also a sign of long-term commitment on the part of the Air France-KLM group in this part of the world and of its confidence in the development of exchange between Africa and Europe."

Posted by Carrie, 24 February 2010 15:40

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