TAP Air Portugal launches first direct Europe‑Paraná flight

TAP Air Portugal began operating the first nonstop intercontinental service between Brazil’s Paraná state and Europe on 2 July. The Airbus A330‑200 carries 269 passengers between Curitiba’s Afonso Pena Airport and Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and a technical stop in Rio de Janeiro.

Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior said the route will “generate numerous facilities and opportunities for Paraná,” citing expected growth in tourism, business travel and foreign investment. TAP’s Americas director highlighted the connection’s role in expanding Brazil‑Europe links. The inaugural flight included Portuguese journalists who toured Curitiba’s attractions and visited Foz do Iguaçu’s waterfalls.

Airport manager Eden Pisani Junior noted that the service required operational and infrastructural preparations, adding that the arrival “reinforces the capacity of our infrastructure and opens a new chapter for tourism, business and closer market ties.”