Chennai Airport (MAA) is welcoming the first flight of Air France’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, flight AF108 from Paris, France. The aircraft registered F-HRBA left Paris at around 11:49 for a 9-hour 50-minute flight to Chennai, which is scheduled to land at 23:55 local. Air France has added Chennai to its list of fourth destinations in India.
Read More: United Airlines to operate direct flight from the US to Delhi and Bengaluru
Following the COVID-19 outbreak and accompanying traveling prohibitions, the service, initially planned for June 2020, was postponed for October 26 and then for this year.
#Vanakkam @airfrance ????
— Chennai (MAA) Airport (@aaichnairport) June 26, 2021
Welcoming @AirFranceIN to #Chennai @aaichnairport on its inaugural flight today.@aaiofficial @MoCA_GoI@pibchennai @KLMIndia @KLM @flightradar24 pic.twitter.com/vifROpydxt
Schedule
Chennai Airport twitted the schedule of Air France today. According to the program, flight AF108 would land on Saturday (June 26) and depart on Monday for Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) (June 28).
Read More: Air France Airbus A380 suffers Catastrophic Engine Failure over Atlantic
Chennai-Paris-Chennai
Air India’s once-weekly Boeing 787 air bubble operation on the same route with the same Boeing 787 aircraft, which started on April 2, has been suspended in response to the pandemic’s second wave and consequent travel restrictions. Air India AI 179 operated Chennai- Paris whereas AI180 for Paris-Chennai.
More flights to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi
The airline would continue to travel to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi under the officially added bilateral air bubble agreements. This current arrangement will include operations in Chennai.
F-HRBA Dreamliner
MSN 38769 of Air France’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is 4.6 years old. Air France took delivery of the aircraft on December 1, 2016. The F-HRBA Dreamliner has a 276-seat three-class configuration. 30 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economic Class, and 225 in Economy Class.
About Air France Dreamliner
Air France acquired their first Boeing 787-9 in January 2017.
Air France-KLM reported purchases for 50 Airbus A350s and 60 Boeing 787s with 60 options dated September 16, 2011. Both Air France and KLM will fly the aircraft. Air France-KLM has committed to buying 37 Boeing 787s, 25 outright and 12 via leasing, 16 of which are allocated for Air France to substitute certain A340-300s; future A340s will be overtaken by Airbus A350s beginning in 2019. KLM delivered the first Boeing 787-9 in 2015, followed by Air France in early 2017. Air France-KLM has placed a definite order for 28 A350s. In June 2019, the company confirmed a modification to the initial order. Air France remained the only operator of the Airbus A350, and KLM remaining the exclusive operator of Boeing 787s, notably the six previously designated for Air France.
