Air France resumes flights to Liberian capital
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) - The Liberian government announced here Monday that, after months of negotiations, Air France had agreed to resume its Monrovia route.
A statement issued late Monday by the Liberian Ministry of Information said the decision “comes more than five years after the airline ceased operations in Liberia”.
Under the new arrangement, Air France will make a four-time weekly flight out of Monrovia, with direct flights to Paris for two of those days, while during the other two days it will go through the Malian capital, Bamako.
The sgatement said the airline's management would begin administrative and operational activities in the country next month.
It said this would lay the ground work for the actual commencement of flights expected by June of next year.
With repair works on the runway and a new terminal completed, the Roberts International Airport (RIA) is now graded 'Standard A' by aviation authorities, a development expected to attract more airlines to Liberia.
"The resumption of Air France's Monrovia route is an expression of confidence in the Liberian economy," said Samuel Wlue, Liberian transport minister.
Air France-KLM Director General for West Africa, Jean-Luc Mevellec, told Liberian authorities that it was 'exciting' that Air France "has chosen ROB as a 2020 destination".
Liberia Airport Authority Managing Director Bishop Alan Klayee said the RIA now had modern, state-of-the-art navigational and aeronautical equipment, ready to handle more traffic.
He said there were plans to lure more international and regional flights to the airport.
-0- PANA PTK/RA 04Nov2019
