TAP Air Portugal Celebrates 80 Years Connecting the World
TAP Air Portugal is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a series of initiatives that highlight its journey since its founding on March 14, 1945. Originally known as Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, the airline operated its first commercial flight on September 19, 1946, covering the Lisbon-Madrid route with a DC-3 Dakota.
Today, eight decades later, TAP is one of Europe’s leading airlines and Portugal’s largest ambassador worldwide. In 2024, the airline carried over 16 million passengers and remains among the top three largest exporters in the country.
Expansion and Global Connectivity
With a fleet of 100 aircraft, TAP Air Portugal operates in 84 cities, distributed as follows:
- North America: 10 destinations
- South America: 14 destinations
- Africa: 12 destinations
- Portugal: 6 destinations
- Europe (excluding mainland Portugal): 42 destinations
→ JetBlue Announces Reciprocal Loyalty Benefits with TAP Air Portugal
During the summer of 2025, the airline will operate over 1,250 weekly flights. Notable additions include new routes such as Lisbon-Los Angeles, Porto-Boston, Terceira-San Francisco, and the return of flights to Porto Alegre.
TAP: A Benchmark in Safety and Excellence
In 2025, Airline Ratings recognized TAP Air Portugal as the safest airline in Europe and the 11th safest in the world. This accolade reinforces the airline’s commitment to innovation, safety, and service quality.
Luis Rodrigues, CEO of TAP Air Portugal, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “We are celebrating a historic moment. Over these eight decades, TAP has evolved from a small carrier with two aircraft to a global aviation leader.”
Rodrigues also highlighted the crucial role of employees, customers, and partners in the airline’s growth, as well as its focus on fleet modernization and sustainability. “We will continue to connect continents, promoting Portuguese culture and economy.”
A Future of Innovation and Commitment
With a history marked by resilience and excellence, TAP Air Portugal looks to the future with determination. The airline reaffirms its commitment to modernization, enhancing the customer experience, and sustainability.
On its 80th anniversary, TAP celebrates not only its legacy but also the beginning of a new era of growth and global connectivity.
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