CHENNAI: Jet Airways will start its non-stop service between Chennai and Paris-Charles de Gaulle starting from October 29. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, said the new route will enhance air connectivity between France and India and attract more volume of Indian travellers.
The launch of this direct service will also facilitate corporate travel from French and Indian industries that are based in Chennai and encourage corporate houses from South India to plan their corporate movement in France, he said.
The new service will operate five times a week and complement Jet Airways’ existing daily service between Mumbai and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
In 2016, France received 552,000 Indian visitors to its shores and 136,000 excursionists, registering a significant increase over its arrival figures for visitors in 2014, which stood at 360,400 visitors. This indicates an encouraging increase of 53 per cent in the number of Indian visitors.
This steady rise in numbers is largely due to enhanced air connectivity, persistent marketing and communication initiatives undertaken by Atout France and the ease of visa procedures. Indian visitors planning a French sojourn can now expect their visa within 48 hours.