Air France has marked 80 years of continuous operations in Nigeria, a milestone that not only underscores the airline’s enduring presence but also mirrors the steady expansion of Nigeria’s international air travel market, connectivity and economic relevance.
The French flag carrier began operations in Nigeria on July 20, 1946, launching its first regular service between Paris and Lagos at a time when long-haul travel relied on propeller-driven aircraft and multi-stop routes across Africa. That inaugural Paris–Orly–Algiers–Kano–Lagos–Brazzaville service, operated with a DC-4 every two weeks and lasting more than 20 hours, laid the foundation for what would become one of Air France’s longest-standing African markets.
Over the decades, Air France’s evolution in Nigeria has closely tracked the country’s growing demand for international travel. As aircraft technology advanced from DC-4s and DC-3s to Constellations, Boeing jets and today’s Airbus widebodies, flight times shortened, frequencies increased and Nigeria’s links with Europe deepened. By the 1970s, widebody aircraft such as the DC-10 and Boeing 747 had strengthened the air bridge between France and Nigeria, supporting trade, industry and people-to-people exchanges.
This long-term growth is reflected in recent traffic data. Figures from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria show that international passenger traffic rose from 3.75 million in 2022 to over 4.07 million in 2023, an 8.4 percent increase, before climbing further to 4.33 million in 2024. Over three years, international travel has grown by more than 15 percent, adding over half a million annual passengers and reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a key aviation market in West Africa.
Today, Air France operates daily flights between Lagos and Paris with Boeing 777 aircraft and three weekly services from Abuja to Paris using the Airbus A350, while also supporting regional connectivity through partnerships. Recent investments, including the full renovation of its Lagos airport lounge in October 2025, reflect the airline’s continued commitment to the Nigerian market.
To commemorate its 80th anniversary, Air France, in partnership with Alliance Française Lagos, hosted a landmark exhibition titled “Bridging Cultures – The Nigerian-French Connection.” The exhibition traces the airline’s journey in Nigeria through archival photographs, historic crew uniforms and aviation memorabilia, illustrating both technological progress and decades of cultural exchange between the two countries.
Speaking at the exhibition, France’s Consul General in Lagos, Laurent Favier, described Air France’s long presence in Nigeria as symbolic of a broader Franco-Nigerian relationship encompassing diplomacy, trade, mobility and culture. He noted that growing passenger flows and economic ties highlight a partnership that has strengthened steadily over time.
Air France Nigeria’s General Manager, Jean-Luc Mevellec, said the anniversary is a celebration of shared history and future opportunity, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s aviation sector and strengthening links between both countries.
From the era of propeller aircraft to today’s high-capacity jets, Air France’s 80-year journey reflects Nigeria’s transformation into a major international air travel market—one driven by trade, migration, tourism and expanding global connections that continue to shape the country’s aviation future.
