Aigle Azur

Aigle Azur was a French airline founded by Sylvain Floirat in 1946. Its name evoked the French Côte d’Azur. The airline initially focused on domestic French services and routes linking France with North Africa, later expanding into European, African and selected long-haul markets. Paris Orly was closely associated with its operations. Over its history, Aigle Azur underwent several changes in ownership and management and made attempts to expand into long-haul markets, including China. After prolonged financial and operational difficulties, the company entered insolvency proceedings and ceased flying in 2019. Available information is insufficient to establish a complete list of its owners and executives across all periods.

Aigle Azur was established in France in 1946 by Sylvain Floirat. Its early activities included domestic French flights and services linking France with North Africa. As the French and international aviation markets developed, the airline increasingly concentrated on scheduled international passenger services and built a network connecting France with destinations in Europe and North Africa. Paris Orly remained an important base for its operations. The company later went through several changes in ownership and management and sought to expand into longer-haul international markets, including China-related services or plans. These expansion efforts did not resolve its financial difficulties. In 2019, Aigle Azur entered insolvency proceedings and stopped operating flights in September of that year. It did not resume airline operations and is now a defunct carrier.

• 2019

  Ceased operations

  The company entered insolvency proceedings due to financial difficulties and ceased flight operations in September 2019.

• 1946

  Company founded

  Sylvain Floirat founded Aigle Azur in France to operate air transport services.

A French leisure, diaspora and international network airline focused particularly on links between metropolitan France and North Africa, while also serving selected European, African, Middle Eastern and long-haul markets.

• Scheduled passenger flights

  Aigle Azur’s core offering was scheduled passenger air transport linking French airports with destinations in Europe, North Africa and selected international markets, with Paris Orly as an important operating base.

• Charter flights

  The airline also provided charter or non-scheduled air transport during some periods, complementing its scheduled passenger operations. Public information is insufficient to identify all charter products and customers.

• 2019

  Entered insolvency proceedings and ceased operationsOther

  Background

  The company faced persistent financial and operational difficulties.

  Action taken

  Aigle Azur entered insolvency proceedings and ceased flight operations in September 2019.

  Aftermath

  The company did not resume air carrier operations, and the brand became defunct.