Air France, in partnership with Alliance Française Lagos, has announced a landmark exhibition titled “Bridging cultures” to celebrate the airline’s 80 years of operations in Nigeria and its enduring role in connecting the country with France and the wider world.

The exhibition, scheduled to hold at the Alliance Française, Ikoyi, will immerse visitors in the remarkable journey of Air France in Nigeria since its first landing in Lagos in 1946. Through a curated collection of photographs, historical uniforms and rare memorabilia, the showcase traces the airline’s evolution from the era of propeller aircraft to today’s modern Airbus fleet serving Nigerian travellers.

It also marks the beginning of a series of events leading to the formal celebration of the 80th anniversary of Air France Group’s operations in Lagos in 2026, highlighting the carrier’s contribution to aviation, diplomacy and cultural exchange between both countries.

For eight decades, Air France has remained a bridge between Nigeria and Europe, facilitating trade, tourism and people-to-people connections. The airline currently operates daily flights between Lagos and Paris Charles de Gaulle, offering seamless connections to more than 200 destinations worldwide for Nigerian passengers.

Beyond connectivity, Air France has continued to invest in innovation, safety and service quality, making it a preferred choice for business and leisure travellers. The airline also supports local communities through training and employment opportunities as part of its long-term investment in Nigeria.

The exhibition also reflects the deepening partnership between France and Nigeria, underscoring Air France’s role in strengthening diplomatic, economic and cultural relations over the decades.

Congratulating the airline, the Consul General of France in Lagos, Mr Laurent Favier, described the milestone as symbolic of friendship and shared values between both countries.

“My congratulations go out to the company for its 80 years of presence in Nigeria, 80 years of sustaining and deepening ties between France and Nigeria, 80 years of French lifestyle, culture, elegance and quality. Happy anniversary,” Favier said.

Air France Nigeria’s General Manager, Mr Jean-Luc Mevellec, said the exhibition reflects the airline’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria and its commitment to the market.

“This exhibition is a testament to our longstanding partnership with Nigeria. We are proud to share our journey and to celebrate the cultural and economic ties that have connected our two countries for 80 years,” Mevellec stated.

Speaking further on the occasion, Favier noted that Air France’s presence goes beyond transportation to cultural exchange and shared identity.

“We are here today to celebrate the long-standing presence of Air France in Nigeria. Travel is about people moving from Nigeria to France and from France to Nigeria. It is about bridging cultures and nations,” he said.

According to him, the exhibition carries strong messages for Nigerians and visitors alike.

“The first message is the long friendship between the two countries. The second is art, culture, excellence, gastronomy and luxury, symbols linked to the image of France. Air France is a vehicle that travels these values between our countries. When we talk about bridging, here we are,” Favier added.

With Bridging cultures, Air France reflects on its aviation heritage while celebrating decades of collaboration that continue to shape business, tourism and cultural relations between Nigeria and France, positioning Lagos as a key gateway for global connections from West Africa.