Air France Asie


Air France Asie was a subsidiary of Air France founded due to the legal status of the Republic of China and territory disputes with the People's Republic of China in order to allow Air France to continue flying to both countries. It became the main carrier operating from France to Taipei after Air Charter stopped flying in 1998.

History

Main period (1994–2004)

Owing to the disputed status of Taiwan, Air France could not operate flights to the island under its own name. In 1993, its subsidiary, Air Charter, began operating flights between Paris and Taipei via Hong Kong. Air France Asie started provided services from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Taipei often stopping in Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport as early as 1994. Its also operated flights from Paris to Osaka via Hong Kong. Starting out with 747-400Ms, it later used Airbus A340-200s both from the Air France.
In 2004, Air France Asie stopped flying to Taipei and ceased passenger services, focusing vitally on freight. Air France did not resume passenger services to Taipei until April 2018 using the Boeing 777-300ER.

Freight service (2004–2007)

After passenger services stopped in 2004, the remaining fleet of Boeing 747-200Fs continued flying freight between Paris and Taipei although it was later it cut in 2007 possibly due to the relations between Mainland China, France and Taiwan.

Destinations

Asia

The livery of Air France Asie differed from that of Air France by having blue and white stripes on the tailfin, rather than blue, white and red ones, representing the French Tricolour. Air France Asie used two Airbus A340-200 aircraft, F-GLZD and F-GLZE, as well as two Combi Boeing 747-428Ms, F-GISA and F-GISC. Similarly, Air France Cargo Asie used a 747-200 Combi, F-GCBH, or the all-cargo. Air France Asie ceased operations in 2004 while Air France Cargo Asie ceased operations in 2007.
AircraftTotalIntroducedRetiredReplacementNotesRefs
Airbus A340-211219942004-F-GLZD was later transferred to Air Tahiti Nui.
Boeing 747-438M219941995Airbus A340-211F-GISA was later converted into a cargo aircraft.
Boeing 747-228BM1Unknown2003Boeing 747-228F/SCD,
Boeing 747-2B3F/SCD
Boeing 747-228F/SCD,
Boeing 747-2B3F/SCD		3Unknown2007-F-GPAN crashed in March 1999.