AN airline is launching its first flights from a major airport in the UK for the first time in decades.
Air France has confirmed it will start a new London to France route from London Gatwick Airport.
Two flights a day will run from London to Paris from March 29, 2026.
Flights will take off from London Gatwick Airport at 9:20am and 3:45pm.
The return flights from Paris to London Gatwick will be 10:30am and 5:10pm.
It joins the current London Heathrow to Paris flight route already operated by Air France.
Gatwick chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard said they were “thrilled” to offer more routes to Paris.
This was backed by Air France KLM UK and Ireland general manager Jrrome Salemi.
They added: “We are delighted to announce our new London Gatwick to Paris Charles de Gaulle service, further strengthening our commitment to the UK market.
“We look forward to welcoming London Gatwick customers on board our flights and sharing the very best of Air France’s service, comfort and innovation.”
Air France operated from London Gatwick in the 1990s.
It was in 1996 that Air France teamed up with Pepsi to launch a blue-painted Air France Concorde.
It was backed by celebs including Andre Agassi, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer.
However, the French flag carrier scrapped flights from the London airport in 2004.
It’s last ever flight from London Gatwick was in 2007, although this was via Brit Air.
Yet a number of other airlines are expanding at London Gatwick.
Jet2 is launching its first ever flights from the airport next year.
From March 2026, the tour operator will launch 29 new routes from London Gatwick across Europe and Africa.
And Virgin Atlantic could soon return to London Gatwick, after scrapping all flights from there during the pandemic.
Virgin boss Richard Branson said he would “twist arms” to return, with the airport being where they launched their first flight in 1984.
Here’s everything you need to know about Gatwick Airport’s second runway.