FRANCE: Air France And bmi Codeshare On Bristol To Paris Flights.

Today, Air France and bmi will announce a brand new codeshare partnership on bmi’s Bristol to Paris service.

Beginning travel from 14th May 2018, the partnership will provide customers from Bristol Airport with access to 25 French cities via Air France’s hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The news comes less than a month after bmi announced that it would be increasing the frequency of its Paris CDG service from its Bristol hub.

The airline currently flies twice daily between Bristol and Paris but, in response to demand from customers, will be adding a further flight three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as of 14 May 2018.

As well as opening up new destinations to the South West and South Wales, the move strengthens both airlines’ network presence at Bristol Airport and is also expected to benefit inbound tourism.

Access to even more destinations from the convenience of their local airport.

Benedicte Duval, general manager for Air France KLM in UK & Ireland said, This new codeshare agreement is excellent news for our customers in the South West.

Both business and leisure passengers will now benefit from the enhanced opportunity of connecting to a range of exciting destinations across France via our hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle.

From the fashionable Cote d’Azur to the picturesque vineyards of Bordeaux, this new partnership improves connectivity and offers customers access to even more destinations from the convenience of their local airport.

A comprehensive network of strategic airline partnerships.

Jochen Schnadt, chief commercial officer of bmi, said our new codeshare enables customers from across the South West to book through-tickets with Air France to 25 cities across France.

With up to three daily services to Paris Charles de Gaulle, bmi provides seamless and convenient access to France.

This is yet another step for bmi in building a comprehensive network of strategic airline partnerships.

This new partnership delivers additional connectivity for the South West and South Wales region, enabling even more people to fly straight from their local airport.

As well as offering French corporate and leisure customers the advantage of superior access to Bristol, the South West of England and Wales.

Passengers wishing to fly from Bristol Airport to Air France destinations within France via Paris Charles de Gaulle are able to book at www.airfrance.co.uk


Tourism Observer

COSTA RICA: Expecting More Italian Tourists

A statement from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute says that in order to improve conditions of the connections between Madrid and the Italian cities of Rome and Milan, the airline Iberia will be taking the following measures:

"... Improving the connections of flights from Rome and Milan with Madrid-San José, so that the transit of these passengers through Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suarez Barajas Airport is more agile.

Iberia will study the movement of flights from Rome and Milan that connect SJO to the 4S building, when operations allow, so that transit is more comfortable for passengers.

"... Optimize flight schedules from Rome and Milan that connect with Madrid-San Jose, so that the time scale is also shorter (between 80-90 minutes in each direction) and more comfortable for tourists coming from these destinations."

Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica, stressed that the ICT has been working intensely to attract airlines that connect with the main markets that emit tourists. In 2016 alone Costa Rica received 24,173 Italians, 7.7% more than in 2015.

"Our positioning in this market is of great relevance, in 2016 more than 430 thousand people from Europe came to the country through all ports, this new Iberia option will allow greater visitation to our country, which allows us to further dynamize Tourism," Ventura said.

The airline Edelweiss has announced that it will be operating twice weekly direct flights between Zurich and Juan Santamaria International Airport starting from May 9, 2017.

From November 2 Air France will be operating two flights per week between the French capital and the international airport of San Jose, Costa Rica.

The flights will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with flight AF340 departing Paris Charles De Gaulle airport at 13:45 and arriving in Costa Rica at 18:10 the same day. Flight AF431 will leave Juan Santamaria Airport at 20:40 and arrive in Paris at 13:50 the next day.

As of June 2, the Spanish airline will begin operating a sixth weekly flight and one month after that a seventh will be added.

The airline is to increases the number of seats available to 2000 per week on its Madrid-Panama City route.

"Ernesto Orillac, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), expressed optimism over the expansion of air services.

The Tourism Minister informed they are having talks with two companies, and they could announce good news next year.

Currently, there are few flights between the country and the European Continent (Iberia operates a daily frequency, and Condor two per week). According to the tourism authority, this is limiting the growth of the industry.

European Airports Realize Freight Increase

Airports in Europe have seen freight volumes increase by 2.1 per cent in the first quarter despite March remaining flat, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe says.

During the first three months of 2015, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport was the busiest hub with volumes increasing by 4.9 per cent to 479,041 tonnes, ahead of Frankfurt Airport, which saw a fall of 1.5 per cent to 475,550 tonnes. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol remained third largest, with a 0.8 per cent increase to 389,042 tonnes, while Heathrow Airport was up 0.4 per cent to 372,299 tonnes. Cologne-Bonn Airport rounded out the top five, with a 1.7 per cent increase to 180,452 tonnes.

ACI Europe director general, Olivier Jankovec says airports have been performing well despite security and geopolitical concerns. He says: “As long as these risks remain in check and with oil set to remain affordable, we remain positive about the traffic outlook for the rest of the year.”

“The fact that airports are now keenly focused on improving their competitive positions and are fighting to attract new traffic also plays an important – and often overlooked – role in maintaining the growth momentum.”

March remained at the same level as in 2015, with a mixed picture at the top. Frankfurt handled the most freight, at 175,591 tonnes, down two per cent, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle at 169,022 tonnes, up 3.6 per cent. Amsterdam saw a 0.5 per cent increase to 140,234 tonnes followed by Heathrow declining by 3.8 per cent to 131,661 tonnes.

Brussels Airport, which was hit by terrorist attacks in March, saw freight fall by 22.4 per cent in March to 32,286 tonnes, while year-to-date volumes are down 9.6 per cent to 102,183 tonnes.