Mário Chaves, COO of TAP, Sofia Lufinha, CCO of TAP and actor Ricardo Pereira, who hosted the ceremony.

TAP Air Portugal celebrated its 80th anniversary on Friday 14 March, with several initiatives to mark the festive date.

The Portuguese national airline was founded on March 14, 1945, by Humberto Delgado. After several preparatory stages, the then called Transportes Aéreos Portugueses conducted its first regular commercial flight on September 19, 1946, between Lisbon and Madrid, in a DC-3 Dakota aircraft.

The airline also celebrated dual wins at the 2024 World Travel Awards for World’s Leading Airline to Africa and World’s Leading Airline to South America.

80 years later, TAP represents Portugal worldwide and is in the top three of the largest national exporters. In 2024, it transported more than 16 million passengers.

With a fleet of 99 aircraft, this summer the national airline will fly to 84 cities, 10 in North America, 14 in South America, 12 in Africa, 6 in Portugal and 42 in the rest of Europe.

In total, TAP will operate more than 1250 flights per week this summer. The main novelties will be the new flights Lisbon - Los Angeles, Porto - Boston, Terceira - S. Francisco and the resumption of flights to Porto Alegre.

TAP is ranked by Airline Ratings, in 2025, as the safest airline in Europe and the eleventh safest in the world.

Luís Rodrigues, President of the airline, considers that “we celebrate a historic milestone, the 80th anniversary of TAP Air Portugal. Over these eight decades, TAP has grown from a small carrier, with two aircraft, to become a reference in world aviation, connecting Portugal to the world with excellence, innovation and commitment.”

“This journey was made with the tireless dedication of thousands of workers and the trust of our customers and partners. We faced challenges, overcame adversity and, with resilience, reinvented ourselves to continue to fly higher.”

“We look to the future with ambition and determination, investing in fleet modernization, sustainability and continuous improvement of our customers’ experience. TAP will continue to be a bridge between continents, promoting Portugal’s culture and economy and remaining a symbol of our country in the world.”

“To all who are part of this history – workers, passengers and partners – our deepest thanks. May the coming years be of even more achievements and success”, concludes Luís Rodrigues.