Malaysian-based budget carrier AirAsia has won landing rights in Paris, its second destination in Europe, in a boost to its global expansion plans, an official said Thursday. Deputy Chief Executive Kamarudin Meranun said he has been notified by Malaysian government officials that France has approved AirAsia's application to fly to Orly Airport in southern Paris.
This followed Prime Minister Najib Razak's four-day visit to France, where he lobbied for AirAsia to fly to Paris during talks with government leaders, he said. "Paris is an extremely important air traffic route and will be a big boost to us in our global expansion," Kamarudin told The Associated Press.
AirAsia will work out logistics and other details with French civil aviation authorities and hopes to launch the flight soon, he said, but couldn't provide a timeframe. The route will be operated by its long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, which began services to Europe in March with flights from Kuala Lumpur to London Stansted.AirAsia X also flies to Australia, Taiwan and China, and will launch flights to Abu Dhabi in November in the group's first foray into the Middle East.