Air France to launch non-stop Paris-Riyadh service

Starting 1 December 2004, Air France will be operating three weekly non-stop services between Paris and Riyadh, as part of its Dedicate programme, a tailor-made service aimed at corporate customers working in the energy and capital goods sectors.

The Dedicate product was launched in January 2004 on flights to Malabo and Pointe Noire and since extended to other destinations: Doha, Kuwait and Tashkent.

Flights will leave Paris-Charles de Gaulle, terminal 2, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10.50 a.m. and will arrive the same day in Riyadh at 6.50 p.m. The flight time will be 6 hours instead of 8 hours 40 minutes previously.

Return flights will leave Riyadh on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 1.20 a.m. and will arrive the same day at 6.15 a.m. at Paris-CDG2. The flight time will be 6 hours 55 minutes, 2 hours 10 minutes less than before.

Flights will be operated by the A319ER (Extended Range) with 82 seats divided into two cabins: 28 in l'Espace Affaires and 54 in Tempo. The A319ER has been technically and commercially configured for Dedicate service.

"Less than a year after its launch, Dedicate is a resounding success. This is why we have decided to extend it to new destinations, including cities such as Riyadh, a well-established Air France destination. Dedicate enables us to improve the quality of our offer for corporate customers who want non-stop flights with long-haul comfort, even on routes where there is insufficient traffic to justify using wide-bodied aircraft", explains Bruno Matheu, Executive Vice President Marketing and Network Management.

With Dedicate, customers can benefit from Air France's entire range of services, as well as those of the Fréquence Plus frequent flyer programme and the Petroleum Club. Dedicate was designed for corporate customers, but is accessible to all Air France passengers.