Orlando to Paris non-stop service coming soon to MCO

In Paris Air France announced plans to fly non-stop from “The City of Lights”, Paris, France to “The City Beautiful”, Orlando, Florida next year. The service will operate three times per week from Charles de Gaulle Airport using 777-300 aircraft with 472 seats to Orlando International Airport (MCO). The service launch date is scheduled for June 8, 2011.

“This service is the first new long haul route for Air France in six years. So, we are extremely pleased that Orlando International was chosen as a destination which will benefit our local residents and businesses. It will also attract more passengers to the Central Florida region from around the world,” said Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

“The launch of the Orlando-Paris service is part of our ambition to offer our customers an ever-increasing number of destinations and flights between Europe and the United States. The trans-Atlantic joint venture, which combines Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Delta’s strengths, is the perfect tool to reach this target”, stated Bruno Matheu, Air France Chief Commercial Officer.

Community response to the announcement was swift. Gary Sain, President and CEO of the Orlando Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau said, “Early projections show increases in international travel to Orlando for both 2010 and 2011. Providing more air service between more global markets is key to our ability to grow our international visitation and remain the most visited destination in the U.S.”.“Air France’s decision to initiate non-stop service from Paris to Orlando is great news for local business. Direct flights between major international cities are a proven catalyst for business between those markets. France is already one of our state’s leading trade partners”, said David Pace, Chairman of the Board of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.

“Delta has long been a leading airline to Florida and our customers will benefit from convenient access to Paris as well as multiple onward travel opportunities beyond the hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle as a result of this new service,” said Perry Cantarutti, Air France-KLM Senior Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa.

International passenger traffic is up 9.8 percent above the 2009 record level at Orlando International Airport for the first seven months of 2010. This new Paris to Orlando service marks the 25th international non-stop destination served from MCO.
(Source:www.transportweekly.com)