Air France returns to ‘emerging’ Sri Lanka after 30-year hiatus

• Air France – KLM, Indian Sub-continent General Manager Jean-Noel Rault says Sri Lanka is a key destination in minds of European travellers as French carrier resumes direct thrice-weekly flights to Colombo

By Darshana Abayasingha

Air France – KLM Indian Sub-continent General Manager Jean-Noel Rault

After nearly 30 years, French flag carrier, Air France, returns to Sri Lanka today (5 November) with three weekly direct flights between Paris and Colombo. 

The airline has added Colombo to its long-haul network as a seasonal operation in the winter schedule of 2021-22 as a continuation of the flight from Male. The route will be serviced by Boeing 787-9 aircraft that seats up to 279 passengers, featuring 30 seats in Business, and 21 in Premium Economy. 

The connection of Air France and Colombo dates back to 1950’s with the route Paris-Rome-Cairo-Bahrain-Karachi-Colombo-Bangkok-Saigon, operated by the airline’s sister company UTA. 

Air France – KLM, Indian Sub-continent General Manager Jean-Noel Rault told Daily FT the airline was shifting its focus in the post-pandemic landscape, as business traffic would take about two years to recover.

As a result, Air France is expanding its network to more tourist destinations and described Sri Lanka as a key destination in the minds of European travellers. 

“We reconsidered flying to Sri Lanka under these angles. Sri Lanka is once again emerging; it is stable and ‘Ceylon’ still has a great attraction to Europeans. When we ask tourists where they want to fly, they want a place that is safe and where they can have variety, exotism and choice. In this small geography there is mountains, beaches and so much more – it’s a great blend of attractions you discover when you fly to Sri Lanka,” he said. 

Rault remarked that in the post-pandemic milieu airlines had more resources in terms of aircraft and space. Airlines are taking more risks in opening up new destinations. He added that Air France was confident it would achieve the budgets set out in its business plan for Sri Lanka and it must deliver upon plans and expectations by the end of the season. Air France commenced operations to five new destinations last week.

“If the result is good, we have no reason to believe it will stop after. We have this opportunity for one or two years to see and prove that Sri Lanka could remain in the network of Air France-KLM in a sustainable manner, but we have to deliver the results. We believe quite strongly that with the new era in Sri Lanka and this new norm, it’s the right time and the right opportunity to put Sri Lanka back in the map of Air France-KLM.”

French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Lavertu in a statement said: “A wonderful reopening of the connection between Paris and Colombo by a French airline after many years. No doubt that the City of Lights and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean are two cities which need direct and frequent relations. Thank you very much to Air France for giving them that opportunity.”

Since the reopening of borders in US, Europe, airlines have seen strong appetite for travel from people. Business traffic may never return to complete pre-pandemic levels for a while, with tourism and family visits expected to dominate the segment up to 2025. In 2022, the airline is expecting 80 to 90% of passenger numbers of pre-COVID levels, Rault said, but the numbers will never quite be the same. 

“Some airlines are surprised by the speed of recovery right now. Because we have laid off staff, we have grounded aircrafts, and you see lately some airlines in USA they had so many bookings, they had to reconsider operations. We are now struggling to be put aircrafts back in operation because of the speed of recovery over the past two months. It’s quicker than we expected. It will still take time, but the need for travel is here,” Rault added.

Air France had continued operations to India boarding 10 flights weekly. He noted that a flight to India consists of 85% Indian passengers, whereas on a flight to Colombo it is 80% Europeans.  

“In today’s world, Sri Lanka should simplify all entry regulations. There is too much paperwork a customer has to fill; it must go digital. If you ask a customer to fill visa forms, another three reports, fly with seven papers and then you take an hour to cross immigration – that’s not the proper experience you need to offer. If you really want to develop, people must perceive from the point of entry they are welcome, and it’s easy to do. If you waste time on arrival that’s not helping. If I fly to Paris right now, I put my QR code, I cross the border in 30 seconds and I’m in France. That’s my suggestions to the Tourism Board to really ease entry,” Rault advised.

Air France’s health commitment was recognised with the Skytrax COVID Excellence Award. On board the aircraft and throughout the duration of the trip, it is compulsory to wear a surgical mask. The air in the cabin is renewed every three minutes. The air recycling system on board Air France aircraft is equipped with HEPA – ‘High Efficiency Particulate Air’ – filters, identical to those used in hospital operating rooms. Air France has also reinforced aircraft cleaning procedures, notably with the disinfection of all surfaces in contact with customers such as armrests, tray tables and screens before each flight. 

As part of its commercial policy, Air France is currently offering fully modifiable tickets for travel until 31 March 2022. Customers can modify their reservation free-of-charge, or request a refundable credit voucher if they no longer wish to travel.