Air France Boosts Brazil Presence with New Salvador Route, Expands Global Network

Air France is set to enhance its route network in Brazil by introducing direct flights to Salvador, the vibrant cultural hub of the northeast, during the winter 2024-25 season. This addition marks one of three new destinations Air France plans to serve, expanding its Brazilian footprint to five cities.

Starting October 28, the airline will operate flights three times a week between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Salvador–Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) using Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The new route will connect passengers to Salvador, known for its rich Portuguese colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture, and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Currently, Air France flies from CDG to São Paulo Guarulhos twice daily, Rio de Janeiro Galeao daily, and Fortaleza three times per week. The airline also operates a weekly flight to Belem from Cayenne, French Guiana. With the new service to Salvador, total weekly flights to Brazil will increase, including a rise to five times weekly to Fortaleza, totaling up to 30 services per week during the peak season.

This expansion is supported by a codeshare partnership with Brazilian carrier GOL, allowing passengers to connect to an additional 40 domestic destinations within Brazil. Paris is set to become the third European city with direct flights to Salvador, joining Lisbon and Madrid. According to Sabre Market Intelligence, Paris was the second-largest destination in Europe for origin and destination traffic from Salvador in 2023, underscoring the route’s potential.

In addition to its Brazilian network expansion, Air France is launching new routes to Malé, Maldives, and Kiruna, Sweden. The Malé service will operate twice weekly during the peak travel period from December 20 to January 5, 2025, using the Airbus A350-900s. Meanwhile, the Kiruna route, beginning on December 1, will be served weekly with an Airbus A319, adding to Air France’s destinations in Lapland.

Furthermore, Air France is converting its seasonal services to Denver and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) into year-round routes, each scheduled for three weekly flights. The Phoenix service, starting on May 23, represents the first nonstop connection between France and Phoenix, joining other European links to Frankfurt and London Heathrow.

This strategic expansion by Air France not only strengthens its presence in Brazil and enhances its global route portfolio but also aims to boost economic ties and increase travel opportunities for passengers traveling between Europe and these diverse destinations.