Air France Marks 80 Years in Nigeria: How Aviation Bridged Paris and Lagos.

Air France has celebrated 80 years of continuous operations in Nigeria with a historic exhibition in Lagos. The airline partnered with Alliance Française to launch the event. It is one of Air France's longest-standing relationships across the African continent.

Bridging Cultures: The Exhibition

The exhibition, titled "Bridging Cultures – The Nigerian-French Connection," opened on Friday, January 16, 2026. It is being held at the Alliance Française Lagos, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi. The showcase will run until February 7, 2026.

The display chronicles eight decades of aviation history. It highlights cultural exchange and economic partnership between France and Nigeria. Rare iconographic materials and memorabilia are featured. These items date back to 1933, the year Air France was founded.

Visitors can trace the airline’s evolution. This includes the transformation of Air France crew uniforms. Designs range from the 1938 Barman white uniform to modern styles. Technological progress is also on display. This spans from the early DC-4 aircraft to the modern Airbus A350.

A Foundation of Sustained Engagement

Air France began its Nigeria operations on July 20, 1946. This was the date of its historic Paris–Lagos inaugural flight. This milestone established a foundation for sustained engagement. The initial Paris Orly–Algiers–Kano–Lagos–Brazzaville route was flown by a DC-4.

Industry and Diplomatic Recognition

The opening ceremony attracted key industry leaders and diplomats. Attendees included Captain Chris Najomo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Mr. Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, spoke at the event. He described the Air France–Nigeria relationship as an “oak wedding.” This term symbolizes strength, resilience, and longevity. Favier applauded Air France’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy. This includes support for infrastructure, innovation, and people.

"Air France delivers the best of France to the world," Favier stated. He noted the airline spreads French excellence, including elegance and gastronomy, globally. He added that the airline acts as an ambassador of French culture.

Commitment to the Nigerian Aviation Market

Mr. Jean-Luc Mevellec, General Manager of Air France Nigeria, reaffirmed the airline's commitment. He described the exhibition as a celebration of a deep-rooted partnership. Mevellec stressed Air France’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s aviation future.

Air France currently operates daily flights between Lagos and Paris Charles de Gaulle. It also offers three weekly flights from Abuja to Paris. These services connect passengers to over 200 worldwide destinations. The airline has recently upgraded its services in Nigeria. This includes renovating its Lagos airport lounge. The lounge is now comparable to its Los Angeles lounge in quality.

This enduring presence is critical to Nigeria's role as a regional aviation hub. International passenger traffic in Nigeria has shown positive growth. Data from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shows a rise in international traffic. This highlights the long-term importance of the Nigerian aviation industry.

Air France-KLM has also recently resumed offering competitively priced fares. This follows the successful intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CBN cleared a backlog of unremitted ticket sales for foreign airlines. This action has helped strengthen collaboration with international carriers.

• The exhibition runs from January 16 to February 7, 2026.
• Air France's inaugural Paris-Lagos flight was on July 20, 1946.
• The airline operates daily Lagos-Paris flights and three weekly Abuja-Paris services.

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