Air France has announced the return of seasonal flights to the Maldives (Male) and the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) for the winter 2026-2027 season. From December 18, 2026, to March 7, 2027, the airline will operate two weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Male, using an Airbus A350-900 in a three-class configuration (Business, Premium Economy, Economy). This move directly competes with French bee, which will also serve the Maldives from Paris-Orly with a triangular route via Colombo, Sri Lanka, from December 19, 2026, to May 2, 2027. For ATPL students, this is a textbook example of seasonal route planning and fleet allocation. The A350-900 is a long-haul workhorse, and understanding its operational range, passenger capacity, and fuel efficiency is key for performance and flight planning exams. ATC students, meanwhile, can study the implications of increased traffic at Male International Airport (VRMM) and Punta Cana International Airport (MDPC), including slot coordination and arrival/departure sequencing during peak tourist periods. On the Dominican Republic side, Air France will fly three times weekly from Paris-CDG to Punta Cana from November 30, 2026, to March 27, 2027, using Boeing 777 aircraft. This puts it in direct competition with Air Caraïbes, which already serves Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and Samana from Paris-Orly. The increased capacity means more complex airspace management over the Caribbean, a region with unique weather patterns (hurricanes, tropical storms) that ATC trainees must master. From an industry perspective, this repositioning toward "distant sun" destinations reflects a strategic shift away from Middle Eastern routes affected by geopolitical instability. For students, this highlights how external factors (conflict, tourism demand) shape airline network planning. The Maldives, previously reliant on Gulf carriers, now sees direct French competition, offering a case study in market dynamics and route profitability. Finally, the simultaneous presence of a full-service carrier (Air France) and a low-cost long-haul operator (French bee) on the same destination provides a real-world comparison of business models. ATPL candidates should note how each airline optimizes its product (three-class vs. single-class, hub vs. point-to-point) to capture different passenger segments. ATC students can observe how different airlines' schedules affect peak-hour traffic and ground handling resources at airports like Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly.