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France is a republic in western Europe, bordered on the north by the English Channel and the North Sea (which separate it from Great Britain); on the northeast by Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany; on the east by Germany, Switzerland, and Italy; on the southeast by Monaco and the Mediterranean Sea; on the south by Spain and Andorra; and on the west by the Bay of Biscay (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean). France is approximately hexagonal in shape, with an extreme length from north to south of about 965 km (about 600 mi) and a maximum width of about 935 km (about 580 mi). The republic of France includes ten overseas possessions. These include the overseas departments of French Guiana, in South America; Martinique and Guadeloupe, in the West Indies; and Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. Territorial
collectivises and dependencies include Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands. The total area of metropolitan France, which also includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean, is 543,965 sq km (210,026 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Paris.
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Airlines |
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Airline |
Dates |
Details |
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Aeropostale |
1930* - 1933 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Aigle Azur |
1954* - 1955 |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIGLE AZUR merged into UAT [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Air Bleu |
1935* - 1940* |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR BLEU was affiliate of Air France that handled the domestic services [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Air Charter |
1977* - 1990 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR CHARTER was formed as SOCIETIE AERINNE FRANCAISE d'AFFRETEMENT in 1966. Charter airline that was renamed to AIR CHARTER INTERNATIONAL and then to the present name] [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Air Charter International |
1970* - 1979* |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR CHARTER was formed as SOCIETIE AERINNE FRANCAISE d'AFFRETEMENT in 1966. Charter airline that was renamed to AIR CHARTER INTERNATIONAL and then to current name [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Air France Europe |
1996 - 1997 |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR FRANCE EUROPE was initially formed as LIGNES AERIENNES INTERIORS in 1954 and began operations in 1958 with service between Paris and Srasbourg. The name changed to AIR INTER and renamed to AIR INTER EUROPE in 1996 and to AIR FRANCE EUROPE later on in 1996 and fully integrated into AIR FRANCE in 1997 [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Air Inter |
1960* - 1996 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR FRANCE EUROPE was initially formed as LIGNES AERIENNES INTERIORS in 1954 and began operations in 1958 with service between Paris and Srasbourg. The name changed to AIR INTER and renamed to AIR INTER EUROPE in 1996 and to AIR FRANCE EUROPE later on in 1996 and fully integrated into AIR FRANCE in 1997]. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANATLANTIWUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Air Inter Europe |
1996 - 1997 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR FRANCE EUROPE was initially formed as LIGNES AERIENNES INTERIORS in 1954 and began operations in 1958 with service between Paris and Srasbourg. The name changed to AIR INTER and renamed to AIR INTER EUROPE in 1996 and to AIR FRANCE EUROPE later on in 1996 and fully integrated into AIR FRANCE in 1997*]. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Bationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANATLANTIWUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. Acquired UTA, AIR FRANCE EUROPE and AIR CHARTER]. |
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Air-Orient |
1931 - 1933 |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR ORIENT was subsiduary of Air Union that had a network of routes into the Middle East [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Air-Union |
1923* - 1933 |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR UNION was formed by the amalgamation of CCIE des MESSAGERIES AERIENNES and CIE des GRANDS EXPRESS AERIENS [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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CGEA (Grands Express Aeriens) |
1920* - 1923 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR UNION was formed by the amalgamation of CCIE des MESSAGERIES AERIENNES and CIE des GRANDS EXPRESS AERIENS] [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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CGTA (Compagnie Generale de Transport Aerien) |
1919 - 1926* |
{AIR FRANCE} - CGTA was renamed from LIGNES AERIENNES FARMAN, France's first international carrier. Expanded it's services around Europe. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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CIDNA (Compagnie International de Navigation Aerienne) |
1922* -1933 |
{AIR FRANCE} - CIDNA started a network of routes heading into Checkoslovakia amd Turkey [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Compagnie Nationale Air France |
1948 - 1994 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Lignes Aeriennes Farman |
1919 - 1919 |
{AIR FRANCE} - LIGNES AERIENNES FARMAN flew France's first international service in 1919 from Paris to London. Renamed to CGTA [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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Lignes Aeriennes Interiors |
1958 - 1958* |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR FRANCE EUROPE was initially formed as LIGNES AERIENNES INTERIORS in 1954 and began operations in 1958 with service between Paris and Srasbourg. The name changed to AIR INTER and renamed to AIR INTER EUROPE in 1996 and to AIR FRANCE EUROPE later on in 1996 and fully integrated into AIR FRANCE in 1997]. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Messageries Aeriennes |
Pre 1923 |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR UNION was formed by the amalgamation of CCIE des MESSAGERIES AERIENNES and CIE des GRANDS EXPRESS AERIENS]. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Societe Aerienne Francaise d'Affretement (SAFA) |
1966* - 1966* |
{AIR FRANCE} - [AIR CHARTER was formed as SOCIETIE AERINNE FRANCAISE d'AFFRETEMENT in 1966. Charter airline that was renamed to AIR CHARTER INTERNATIONAL and then to the present name]. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Societe Nationale Air France |
1946 - 1948 |
[AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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TAI (Transportes Aeriens Intercontinentaux) |
1950* - 1963 |
{AIR FRANCE} - TAI merged with UAT (Union de Transportes Aeriens) and renamed to UTA. Eventually into AIR FRANCE. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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UAT (Union Aeromaritime de Transports) |
1949 - 1963 |
{AIR FRANCE} - UAT started with help from Air France, SATA and the marine company Cie Maritime des Chargeurs Reunis. AIGLE AZUR merged in in 1955. Merged with TAI (Transportes Aeriens Intercontinentaux) to form UTA. Eventually into AIR FRANCE [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997] |
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UTA (Union de Transportes Aeriens) |
1963 - 1991* |
{AIR FRANCE} - UTA was formed by a merger between TAI (Transportes Aeriens Intercontinentaux) and UAT. Merged into AIR FRANCE. [AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997]. |
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Air France |
1933 - 2010> |
{AIR FRANCE} - AIR FRANCE was formed by a merger of 5 airlines in 1933 (CGTA (Founded in 1919), CIDNA (Cie International de Navigation Aerienne), AIR-UNION, AIR-ORIENT and AEROPOSTALE. Also acqired the assets of Cie General Aeropostale in the same year. Rationalised in 1948 along with AIR BLANC and AIR FRANCE TRANSATLANTIQUE to form the modern AIR FRANCE. On 12 January 1990, the operations of all government owned airlines, Air France, Air Inter, Air Charter and UTA, were merged into the Air France Group. AIR FRANCE EUROPE was integrated into the parent company in 1997. Launch customer for Caravelle in 1959, A300-B2 in 1974, A320 in 1988 and A340-300 in 1993. International and regional passenger and cargo airline |
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