Air France marks 80 years Paris–Lisbon

Air France marked 80 years of service on its Paris-Lisbon route on May 15, tying the anniversary to a larger summer expansion in Portugal. The airline said the link began in 1946 with a weekly flight via Bordeaux operated by a Douglas DC-3 and has remained in operation since then. This summer, Air France plans to offer five daily flights between the French and Portuguese capitals, according to material the company sent to Portuguese travel trade media. The increase comes as the Air France-KLM group says its broader offer in Portugal has risen 44% from 2019 levels. ### When did Air France start flying between Paris and Lisbon? Air France said the Paris-Lisbon route was inaugurated in 1946, shortly after the carrier resumed operations under state ownership on Jan. 1 of that year. The company’s corporate history says Air France rebuilt its network after World War Two and renewed its fleet with aircraft including Douglas and Lockheed models. Publituris, a Portuguese travel industry publication, reported on May 15 that the original Lisbon-Paris service operated once a week and stopped in Bordeaux. The same report said the route was flown with a Douglas DC-3 at launch. ### What exactly is Air France celebrating now? (publituris.pt) May 15 was the date Air France used to mark the route’s 80th anniversary in Portugal, according to the company statement carried by Publituris. The anniversary is separate from Air France’s corporate 80th anniversary, which the airline marked in 2013 from its Oct. 7, 1933 founding. (publituris.pt) Laurent Perrier, Air France-KLM’s general manager for Portugal and Spain, said in the statement that the route’s “remarkable 80-year journey” reflected the group’s commitment to Portugal. He also said the group’s historical ties in the country date to 1940 for KLM and 1946 for Air France. (publituris.pt) ### How much service is Air France planning on the route this summer? This summer, Air France plans to operate five daily flights between Paris and Lisbon, Publituris reported, citing the airline’s statement. The publication said that compares with a single weekly frequency when the route opened in 1946. (publituris.pt) The Air France-KLM group’s total offer in Portugal has increased 44% since 2019, according to the same statement. Publituris reported that figure covered Air France, KLM and the group’s other airlines serving the Portuguese market. ### Which Paris airport does the Lisbon route use? (publituris.pt) Air France’s historical material on Paris Charles de Gaulle airport says Lisbon was among the first European destinations served from the airport when Air France began operations there in March 1974. That indicates the route predates Charles de Gaulle and was later transferred as Paris airport operations evolved. (publituris.pt) Air France’s current group profile identifies Paris-Charles de Gaulle as one of the group’s two main hubs. ANA, Portugal’s airport operator, says it manages Lisbon Airport, the country’s largest gateway. ### Why does the route matter to Air France-KLM in Portugal? Portugal is one of the markets where Air France-KLM has been adding capacity as travel demand recovered from the pandemic period. (corporate.airfrance.com) Perrier said the group had continued to invest and expand its presence in Portugal, citing local teams and long-standing operations. (airfranceklm.com) The route also sits inside a broader European network strategy centered on Paris and Amsterdam. Air France-KLM says its network strength depends on those two hubs, which channel short-haul and long-haul traffic across the group. ### What comes next on the Paris-Lisbon link? Air France said the immediate next step is the summer schedule, with five daily Paris-Lisbon flights. (publituris.pt) The company did not announce a separate commemorative flight or a one-day event program in the materials reviewed. (airfranceklm.com) Portugal’s airport system remains under ANA, which says it manages Lisbon Airport along with nine other airports in the country. For Air France, the next measurable milestone on the route will be how that summer frequency is sustained through the 2026 season. (ana.pt) (publituris.pt)