Three major airlines—Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Royal Air Maroc—are set to expand their services to the Americas starting in December 2024. These airlines will be introducing new routes to key cities in Brazil, Chile, and Canada, providing travelers with more direct flight options, improved connectivity, and enhanced travel experiences. This strategic expansion is occurring at a time when demand for both leisure and business travel is rising across these regions, bolstered by growing economic ties and cultural exchanges.
Air France is making significant strides to widen its Brazilian network with the launch of a new route to Salvador, the capital of the northeastern state of Bahia. The airline plans to start services from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Salvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) on October 28, 2024. The frequency will be three times weekly—on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—utilizing the modern and fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Salvador, which houses about 2.9 million residents, is Brazil's third-largest city renowned for its rich Afro-Brazilian culture and vibrant festivals. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts numerous tourists interested not only in tropical relaxation but also cultural immersion.
With this introduction, Air France will become the fifth airline to operate out of Salvador, joining several major airlines offering flights to various destinations from Salvador. This route ensures not just access to Salvador but also reinforces the airline's existing services to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, and Belém, elevatively bringing Air France’s total weekly services to Brazil up to 30. Notably, the partnership with the Brazilian carrier GOL facilitates seamless connections to over 40 domestic destinations, enabling travelers to explore more of Brazil efficiently.
Air France's expansion doesn't stop there; they are also incrementing their service to Fortaleza, increasing its frequency from three to five times weekly. This surge is indicative of their commitment to building and maintaining traffic across their Brazilian hubs, making Salvador accessible as more than just another stop on the Brazilian coast but also enabling easy connections to Brazil's vast interior.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines is stepping boldly onto the Chilean stage by launching direct flights to Santiago. Beginning December 18, 2024, the airline will operate four weekly flights connecting its Istanbul hub to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) via São Paulo. With this addition, Santiago will become the ninth Latin American city to be served by Turkish Airlines, joining other key destinations such as Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cancun, and Mexico City. This route brings two significant markets under one umbrella with the stopover, allowing Turkish Airlines to maximize passenger loads and evaluate future demand for non-stop service to Chile.
Santiago, being Chile's largest city and financial heart, consistently attracts both business travelers and tourists eager to experience its rich culinary scene and stunning landscapes. The new connection opens pathways not only for travelers heading directly from Turkey but also for lots of onward connections within South America.
Royal Air Maroc rounds out this trio with plans to launch new direct service to Toronto beginning December 8, 2024, connecting Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) three times per week. This new route marks RAM’s second direct service to Canada, enhancing its North American operations, which already features connections to New York and Montreal.
Toronto boasts one of the largest Moroccan communities outside of Morocco, serving as the primary market for the new route. Acknowledging the demographic trend and increasing cultural ties, RAM is poised to offer direct flights maximizing convenience for both business and leisure travelers. The new connection not only facilitates travel for the Moroccan diaspora but also appeals to Canadians interested in exploring Morocco’s rich history and culture with much greater ease.
The introduction of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route promises to deliver top-notch service and comfort for passengers as they establish new international paths. This aircraft is famed for its efficiency and superior passenger experience, with advanced technology ensuring quieter and more comfortable journeys.
These new routes set to launch signify the airlines’ strong resolve to build upon and seize the growling demand for international travel, especially as markets emerge from the depths of pandemic restrictions. Improved connectivity between Europe, North America, and Latin America is expected from this swell of new services.
The positive ripple effects are substantial, as the new connections bolster tourism at cultural hubs like Salvador and Santiago, encouraging economic growth and cultural exchange. Passengers will have enhanced access to unique experiences, providing opportunities to engage with diverse communities spread across these interconnected regions.
Overall, this expansive development reflects how airlines are strategically positioning themselves to meet growing travel demand, improving travel options for passengers eager to connect through these increasingly accessible routes, and ensuring their competitive edge on the global stage.
