Bienvenue Air France! Inaugural Flight Lands at YVR

Air France brings Parisian Flare and 250+ new jobs to British Columbia

RICHMOND, BC, March 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) welcomed Air France's inaugural flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The non-stop flight marks the beginning of a new, direct service between Paris and Vancouver.

"Bienvenue Air France! British Columbians have been asking for direct service to Paris for some time and we are very excited to welcome Air France to YVR," said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "This new service creates opportunities for business, tourism and trade and strengthens our already strong air access ties with Europe."

Air France's new service will generate approximately $13.7 million in Gross Domestic Product, $8.8 million in wages to the B.C. economy and an additional 250 jobs at YVR and B.C's hotel, restaurants and tourist attractions. The scheduled service will operate three times per week from March 29 to May 3; five times per week from May 4 to September 13; and three times a week from September 14 to October 24, 2015.

"Our government welcomes Air France's direct service between Vancouver and Paris. The new service will boost tourism and business, provide more choice for Canadian travellers and have a positive impact on our economy," said the Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, Government of Canada.

Air France and its co-carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offer connectivity to 55 destinations in Europe. In addition, Air France's partnership with WestJet offers additional connecting opportunities throughout Canada.

"From sea to sea" is the national motto of Canada. With the launch of a new service to Vancouver, Air France is adopting Canada's motto - after Toronto and Montreal, its two bases in the east, Air France now directly serves western Canada, in addition to KLM's offering. Through our ambition to portray French excellence and lifestyle, we are proud to offer our Canadian and French customers the best of Air France's products and services", stated Patrick Alexandre, Executive Vice President Commercial, Sales and Alliances Air France-KLM.

A Boeing 777-200 will operate on the route, with capacity for 309 seats including, 35 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy and 250 in Economy. The Premium Economy cabins have been redesigned for improved comfort, offering seats with 40 per cent more space than Economy. Flight AF374 leaves CDG at 10:35 a.m. and arrives at YVR at 11:50 a.m. the same day. Flight AF379 leaves YVR at 1:55 p.m. and arrives at CDG at 8:35 a.m. the following day.

The addition of the direct YVR to Paris service, along with KLM's existing seven weekly flights between YVR and Amsterdam-Schiphol will continue to strengthen YVR's presence as a connecting travel hub in North America and around the world. With more than 24,000 people working on Sea Island, YVR is one of British Columbia's key economic and employment generators.

About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served more than 19 million passengers in 2014. Fifty-three airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 110 non-stop destinations worldwide. YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the sixth consecutive year, and Best Airport in the World for its size category of 10-20 million passengers, in the 2015 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2014 donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority

Image with caption: "YVR celebrated Air France's inaugural flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, joined by the Ambassador of France to Canada and representatives from the Canadian federal and provincial governments, Air France and special guests. (CNW Group/Vancouver Airport Authority)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150329_C8422_PHOTO_EN_13683.jpg

For further information: YVR Media Relations, 604.880.9815, [e-mail], Twitter: @yvrairport