| IATA Code: |
AF |
|
ICAO Code: |
AFR |
| Known As: |
Air France |
|
Full Name: |
Air France |
| Country: |
France |
|
Hubs: |
Paris, ORY/CDG |
| Callsign: |
Air France |
|
Web Site: |
www.airfrance.fr |
| History: |
Air France was founded on October
7, 1919 through the merger of Air Orient, Compagnie Générale Aéropostale,
Société Générale de Transport Aérien (SGTA), Air Union and CIDNA
(Compagnie Internationale de Navigation); with extensive routes across
Europe, the French colonies in northern Africa and elsewhere. During
WWII, Air France moved its operations to Casablanca, Morocco and after
the war the airline was nationalized and Societe Nationale Air France
was established up on January 1, 1946. In 1959 Air France pioneered use
of the twin-jet Sud Aviation Caravelle, which helped usher in the jet
age. On January 12, 1990, the operations of all government owned
airlines: Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into
the Air France Group. On February 10, 1999 Air France was partially
privatised and in June 2000 became a founding member of the Skyteam
Alliance. On September 30, 2003, the Air France Group acquired KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines, with the new company known as Air France-KLM. The merger
became was completed on May 5, 2004, at which time the airline was in
effect privatized. |
|
