Monrovia- After months of negotiations between the government of Liberia and Air France, Air France has agreed to resume its Monrovia route.

Accordingto a release, the decision comes more than five years after the airline ceased its operations in Liberia.

Under the new arrangement, Air France will make a four-time weekly flight out of Monrovia, with direct flights to Paris for two of those days. During the other two days, it will go through the Malian capital of Bamako.

The airline’s management will begin administrative and operational activities in the country next month. This will lay the ground work for the actual commencement of flights, which is expected to happen by June of next year.

With repair works on the runway and a new terminal completed, the Roberts International Airport is now graded ‘Standard A’ by aviation authorities and this is expected to attract more airlines to Liberia.

“The resumption of Air France’s Monrovia route is an expression of confidence in the Liberian economy”, Transport Minister Samuel Wlue has said.

Minister Wlue thanked the various actors involved in the rounds of negotiations, saying that the government intends to make the best use of this opportunity.

Air France KLM Director General for West Africa, Jean-Luc Mevellec, told Minister Wlue that it was ‘exciting’ that Air France “has chosen ROB as a 2020 destination”.

Also speaking, Liberia Airport Authority’s Managing Director, Bishop Alan Klayee, said the RIA now has modern, state-of-the-art navigational and aeronautical equipment, ready to handle more traffic. He said there are plans to lure in more international and regional flights.