AIR FRANCE has increased UKcapacity by 30% this summer as a result of extra slots and more terminal capacity at its Paris hub.
Expansion at the French base will allow Air France franchise carrier Gill Airways to start two new double-daily services from Teesside and Humberside International Airports. Gill already flies to Paris from Newcastle for Air France.
Capacity is also being adding on existing routes from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh in conjunction with partner Jersey European Airways.
Air France general manager UK and Ireland Isabelle Koch said the carrier had looked at starting flights from other regional airports, including Bristol, Belfast International and Aberdeen.
“We want to increase feeder flights to Paris because of the huge potential at Charles de Gaulle,” she said.
“UK regional growth is our strategy as we do not have the market share we should have.”
Meanwhile, the opening of a third runway next month at Charles de Gaulle Airport will give Air France extra slots for UK services.
The new F2 terminal at Charles de Gaulle will improve transfers for UKpassengers linking on to long-haul flights and is also closer to links into Paris.
Overall Air France expects to increase worldwide capacity by 9% – British Airways has set a less than 2% increase.
Flights from Heathrow and London City airports are also being enhanced, with timetables being changed to improve the transfers onto Air France’s long-haul services.