Air France celebrates its 75th anniversary in Munich

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The long-established connection between Munich and Paris is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Since 1949, Air France has played a key role in air traffic in the Bavarian capital, connecting travelers to a global network. With regular flights, Air France provides access to 169 destinations worldwide via its Charles de Gaulle hub.

Historical connection between Munich and Paris

On October 18, 1949, an Air France aircraft landed for the first time in Munich-Riem on its way to Vienna. This historic connection laid the foundation for the significant role Air France played in the region in the decades to come. Later, the Paris–Frankfurt–Berlin route was introduced and expanded via Nuremberg and Munich to Berlin. In the 1950s, Munich became a central hub for business and freight flights, enabling steady development and connections with the French capital, Paris.

Important milestones and developments

In 1951, Air France opened its agency in the heart of Munich at Odeonsplatz. Eight years later, the Caravelle made its first landing, while the route to Vienna continued. Freight transport from Munich was also particularly attractive, leading to the creation of a special cargo connection. In the 1970s, Air France enabled smooth travel to and from Paris with pilgrimage flights to Lourdes and optimal flight times for business travelers.

Opening of the new airport and technological progress

Following the closure of Munich’s Riem Airport in 1992, Air France relocated to continue operations at its new location in Erdinger Moos. It was the first airline to land the advanced Airbus A340 there. On October 26, 1996, the landing of Concorde attracted around 5,000 spectators to Munich Airport. This event marked another milestone in the history of the airline’s aviation connection.

Looking to the future and ongoing partnership

Jost Lammers, Managing Director of Munich Airport, emphasized the importance of the connection between Munich and Paris and congratulated Air France on its long-standing service. Carl Schelleman, Director of Air France-KLM Germany, also expressed his delight at the continued success and the opportunity to connect Munich with Air France’s global network. This partnership will continue in the future to provide passengers in Munich with consistent access to international destinations.

As one of the world’s leading airlines, Air France has been connecting travelers to destinations around the world for decades, contributing to global mobility. With a network of 169 destinations, the airline offers its passengers comprehensive travel options and makes a significant contribution to international aviation.