Air France has confirmed it will launch a new service from East Midlands Airport to the rest of the world via Paris through a new code share partnership with Flybe.

The twice-daily service that commences from October 28th 2012 will give business and leisure travellers from the East Midlands region the opportunity to connect with Air France’s extensive global network of 180 destinations from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Flights will be operated with Bombardier Q400, 78 seat aircraft.

Said Henri Hourcade, general manager Air France KLM UK and Ireland: “The new flights offer travellers from the East Midlands region a world of convenient onward connections to 117 long haul destinations, operated by Air France and our partners.

“We are very excited to be further expanding our services from East Midlands Airport through another joint venture with Flybe.”

This new service bolsters the existing partnership between Air France and Flybe.

Flybe and Air France already operate within the framework of a code-share agreement on numerous routes between France and the UK.