TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Air France AF

Claude Thenevin, General Manager for Japan, Air France and KLM, briefed the media recently that the introduction of A380 by Air France on the Japan route is now scheduled for summer 2009. AF, at the end of 2006, had revealed its intension to introduce the world’s largest aircraft on its Narita/ Paris route. It commenced pursuing dialogue with the Narita International Airport Corporation (NIAC) on preparations for accommodating A380 that include airport infrastructure, facilities and equipments.

Singapore Airlines has officially expressed its intension to fly A380 into Narita Airport. NIAC is in the process of constructing a boarding bridge to service the double-decker passenger aircraft at Satellite 4 in Terminal 1 where SQ operates.

It is anticipated that it will take one and a half years for NRT airport to be fully prepared to accommodate A380, and as such, the decision by AF at this time is expected to help accelerate the preparation process.

AF currently operates two flights daily at Narita. “AF expects to operate A380 for the morning and afternoon flight respectively,” said Thenevin. At Narita where any expansion is restricted until sometime in 2010, AF intends to increase total seats offered by operating A380, thus improve its presence in the Japanese market.

Source: Travel Vision

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