The date chosen by TAP to start operations to new destinations could not be more significant. 10 JUne, which is Portugal’s National Day, Camões Day and Portuguese Communities Day, was marked this year by the launch of four new routes at the same time: Alicante and Gran Canaria in Spain, Stuttgart in Germany and Toronto in Canada, a country with a significant Portuguese community.
In conjunction with Lisbon airport, TAP celebrated these first four flights with its clients in a party atmosphere. Fernando Pinto, the company CEO, was present at the departure of the flight to Toronto, where he spoke to the media and others present, highlighting the ‘incredible growth of the new TAP’. According to Fernando Pinto, the launch of these new destinations is ‘another great success, for which we must thank our clients; the load factor is pretty high. Bookings for the new routes are already completely full for this summer‘, announced the CEO.
Passengers were entertained with circus tricks, dance performances and a photo booth installed near the departure gates where they could choose one of several destinations served by TAP as a background and take a photo as souvenir. Once aboard the inaugural flights, TAP did not stint on the celebration, and served passengers with cherries from Fundão, amongst other things.
In the video and photo gallery below, you can see various moments that marked this day and the arrival of our aircraft at the new TAP destinations.
WHEN THE PAST AND THE FUTURE MEET
For many years, in some cases decades, these people have flown the company flag across borders. Today, some of them are seeing company operations taken back to ‘their’ home towns. Read two accounts by TAP employees about two of our new routes.
Orlando Cobos – former Head of Administrative Services, Spain Delegation
‘The new route to Gran Canaria is, for me, a source of great joy and satisfaction, as I started working at TAP here in my homeland, when the regional office on Gran Canaria was independent in mid-1973.
This is where I met many colleagues and friends who, over the years, had a major influence, helped make me a better professional and also a better person.
I personally feel proud to belong to the TAP team/family and I am sure that this reopening of the route will bring much satisfaction to the large TAP family and also to the large Portuguese population living in the paradise of the Canaries. Well done everybody!´
Silvia Malta – Flight Assistant
‘The return of the operation to Stuttgart is special for me since it is almost like returning to a very dear friend. It takes us further, we are reaching more passengers, resuming a route that was of special significance, as it belonged to the former Portugalia and was one of my first overnight stays. It means we are continuing to grow sustainably, without forgetting the places and moments that have given us this growth.’
