France to conduct study into direct flight to St. John's

ST. JOHN'S - The French government plans to carry out a feasibility study regarding a direct flight from St. John's to Paris.

Currently, residents of St. Pierre-Miquelon travel to Montreal on Air St. Pierre before boarding an Air France flight to France.

The small islands off the south coast of Newfoundland are one of the few overseas French colonies without direct flights to France.

A direct flight from St. John's to France would greatly reduce the cost of a ticket said St. Pierre businessman Xavier Bowering.

The Mayor of Miquelon-Langlade, Denis Detcheverry, was in St. John's earlier this week and met with Mayor Andy Wells and the two discussed collectively approaching Air France about establishing a direct flight to Newfoundland.

Detcheverry, also a member of the French senate, told Transcontinental Media this week he has been told by the French government they will carry out a feasibility study
St. John's has been trying to find a replacement service for a route between here and London after Air Canada pulled its flight.

Astreaes Airlines serviced the run for a short period, but cancelled citing low customer demand.

Marie Manning, director of marketing and community relations for the St. John's Airport Authority, said they have agreed to participate in the study - which hasn't begun yet - and provide whatever information they can.