Filipinos, your Parisian dreams might *finally* be easier to attain! Direct flights from Manila to Paris may soon come in the future, according to a recent statement by the French Ambassador to the Philippines.
In a news release published by the Presidential Communications Office, the outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz unveiled plans to set up nonstop direct flights between Manila and the French capital.
During the farewell call held at the Malacañan Palace on July 11, the ambassador informed President Ferdinand Macros Jr. that negotiations for direct flights between the two countries are currently underway.
“There are many things going on and one of them, I understand, we will have in the near future a direct flight from Manila to Paris and that’s also in progress,” she added.
Aside from this, the outgoing ambassador also discussed the French government’s initiatives on promoting student exchange and scholarship programs to encourage “gifted” and “dynamic” students to study in Paris.
In recent years, the flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ sole European direct flight was between Manila and London, which resumed its nonstop flights in 2013 after an absence of 15 years. However, commercial flights to London’s Heathrow Airport were since then discontinued in March 2021. But not all hope is lost, as alongside Paris and Brussels, efforts are being made into the potential opening of more European routes, according to recent reports. Color us excited!
*This story originally appeared on Preview.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
