Air Charter
Air Charter, originally established as SAFA and later known as Air Charter International, was a French charter airline operated by Air France from 1966 until 1998.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Air Charter was a French charter airline created by Air France to serve the expanding holiday and inclusive-tour market. The carrier was established on 7 February 1966 under the corporate name Société Aérienne Française d'Affrètements, commonly abbreviated as SAFA. Its flight operations began on 25 July 1966 using two Sud Aviation Caravelles and two Lockheed Super Constellations supplied by its parent company. The initial network concentrated on charter services from Paris to destinations around the Mediterranean, connecting France with major leisure markets. On 8 December 1969, the airline adopted the trading name Air Charter International. The change helped distinguish its commercial identity while retaining its role within the Air France group. During the early 1970s, the carrier expanded its fleet and passenger activity. In 1971 it operated seven Caravelles and carried approximately 420,000 passengers. The first Boeing 727-200 aircraft joined the fleet in 1972, providing a larger and more suitable platform for medium-haul charter operations. Air Charter broadened its geographic reach during the following decade. From 1982, it offered transatlantic charter flights to the United States and Canada using leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France. The airline also used aircraft obtained through leasing arrangements with other European operators, including six Super Caravelles leased from EAS Europe Airlines until 1992. These arrangements allowed the carrier to increase capacity without relying exclusively on an owned fleet. In 1984, the trading name was shortened from Air Charter International to Air Charter. The simplified name was used during a period of continuing development. The airline introduced its first wide-body aircraft in 1988, an Airbus A300B4, and also operated two Boeing 737-200 aircraft from EAS Europe Aéro Service that year. The fleet changes reflected the varied requirements of charter aviation, ranging from short- and medium-haul leisure flights to higher-capacity international services. Air Charter later undertook scheduled flying on behalf of Air France. It began operating such services in November 1993, adding a role beyond conventional charter work. By the middle of the 1990s, its Boeing 727s had been replaced by Airbus A320-family aircraft, indicating a transition toward newer, more standardized narrow-body equipment. The airline remained closely tied to Air France's broader network and corporate structure throughout its existence. The merger of Air France and Air Inter in spring 1997 changed the group structure and reduced the need for a separate charter subsidiary performing the functions for which Air Charter had been created. Air Charter's operations were ultimately discontinued on 24 October 1998. The airline therefore existed for roughly thirty-two years, evolving from a Mediterranean charter operator using Caravelles and Super Constellations into a larger Air France-affiliated carrier that handled leisure, transatlantic, and delegated scheduled flying. It is now defunct and has no current operating network, products, executives, or independent website identified in the supplied reference material.
History
Air Charter's history began in the context of Air France's effort to participate in the growing European charter-airline sector. On 7 February 1966, Air France established the carrier as Société Aérienne Française d'Affrètements, or SAFA. Flight operations commenced on 25 July of that year with two Sud Aviation Caravelles and two Lockheed Super Constellations made available by Air France. The initial mission was to operate charter flights from Paris to leisure destinations around the Mediterranean. The carrier changed its trading name to Air Charter International on 8 December 1969. Its early growth was reflected in both fleet size and passenger volume. In 1971 it operated seven Caravelles and carried approximately 420,000 passengers. The introduction of two Boeing 727-200 aircraft in 1972 gave the airline additional capacity for medium-haul charter flying and represented a move toward newer jet equipment. During the 1980s, Air Charter expanded beyond its original Mediterranean focus. From 1982, it offered transatlantic charter flights to the United States and Canada. The services used leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France, allowing Air Charter to participate in long-haul markets without building an entirely independent wide-body operation. The airline also leased six Super Caravelles from EAS Europe Airlines until 1992. The commercial name was shortened to Air Charter in 1984. Fleet modernization and diversification continued. In 1988, the airline introduced its first wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A300B4, and also operated two Boeing 737-200 aircraft from EAS Europe Aéro Service. These arrangements illustrate the flexible fleet model common to charter carriers, which frequently combined owned, parent-supplied, and leased aircraft to match seasonal demand. Air Charter's role subsequently expanded from charter flying to contracted scheduled operations. Beginning in November 1993, it operated scheduled services on behalf of Air France. By the middle of the 1990s, its Boeing 727 aircraft had been replaced by Airbus A320 aircraft. The transition brought the fleet closer to the narrow-body equipment used elsewhere in the Air France network and supported the carrier's role in short- and medium-haul passenger operations. The merger of Air France and Air Inter in spring 1997 altered the structure and requirements of the combined group. Air Charter had been created to perform a specialized charter function, but the post-merger organization no longer required the same separate subsidiary arrangement. All Air Charter services were discontinued on 24 October 1998, ending approximately three decades of operation. The reference material also mentions the 26 June 1988 crash of an Airbus A320-100 operating for Air France during a low pass at the Habsheim Air Show. The aircraft was associated with Air France rather than clearly identified as an Air Charter flight, so the event should not be treated as a direct Air Charter accident without additional evidence. No current management, independent owner, successor brand, or website is identified in the supplied sources.
- 1998
Operations end
[1]Air Charter discontinued all services on 24 October.
- 1997
Air France and Air Inter merge
[1]The spring merger changed the Air France group structure and preceded the eventual discontinuation of Air Charter's services.
- 1993
Scheduled flying begins for Air France
[1]In November, Air Charter began operating scheduled services on Air France's behalf.
- 1988
First wide-body aircraft introduced
[1]An Airbus A300B4 became the airline's first wide-body aircraft. Two Boeing 737-200 aircraft from EAS Europe Aéro Service were also operated during the year.
- 1984
Name is shortened to Air Charter
[1]The airline shortened its trading name from Air Charter International to Air Charter.
- 1982
Transatlantic charter services begin
[1]Air Charter began charter flights to the United States and Canada using leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France.
- 1972
Boeing 727-200 enters the fleet
[1]The first two Boeing 727-200 aircraft were introduced for medium-haul operations.
- 1971
Early fleet and traffic expansion
[1]The airline operated seven Caravelles and carried about 420,000 passengers.
- 1969
Trading name changes to Air Charter International
[1]On 8 December, the airline adopted the Air Charter International trading name.
- 1966
SAFA is established and begins flying
[1]Air France established Société Aérienne Française d'Affrètements on 7 February. Flight operations began on 25 July with two Sud Caravelles and two Lockheed Super Constellations on Mediterranean charter routes.
Products and positioning
An Air France-owned charter and contract passenger airline focused initially on Mediterranean leisure travel and later expanded into long-haul charter and delegated scheduled operations.
Passenger charter aviation · 1966
Mediterranean charter flights
Air Charter's original operating role was to provide charter passenger flights from Paris to leisure destinations around the Mediterranean. The service used aircraft supplied by Air France and was aimed at the expanding holiday-travel market. Mediterranean flying remained the foundation of the carrier's identity before it expanded into larger European and transatlantic operations.
Passenger charter aviation · 1972
Medium-haul jet charter services
The introduction of Boeing 727-200 aircraft in 1972 expanded Air Charter's medium-haul capacity. The airline also operated Caravelles and later Airbus A320-family aircraft, supporting charter flying across European and Mediterranean markets. These services formed the core of its operations for much of its history.
Long-haul passenger charter · 1982
Transatlantic charter flights
From 1982, Air Charter offered charter services linking France with the United States and Canada. The long-haul flights used leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France, giving the Air France group a charter presence in North American markets while relying on parent-company wide-body operating resources.
Contract passenger operations · 1993
Scheduled services for Air France
Beginning in November 1993, Air Charter operated scheduled passenger flights on behalf of Air France. This represented a broadening of its role from a dedicated charter airline to a group-affiliated operator performing scheduled flying under the parent carrier's requirements.
Brand decisions
1998
Discontinuation of the Air Charter operationStrategyBackground
The Air France and Air Inter merger in spring 1997 changed the structure and requirements of the parent group.
Action taken
Air Charter ended all services on 24 October 1998.
Aftermath
The airline became defunct and no longer operated an independent charter or scheduled network.
1993
Acceptance of scheduled flying for Air FranceStrategyBackground
Air Charter had primarily been a charter operator within the Air France group.
Action taken
From November, it began operating scheduled services on behalf of Air France.
Aftermath
The arrangement broadened Air Charter's operating role before the Air France–Air Inter merger and the eventual closure of the subsidiary.
1988
Expansion into wide-body operationsGeneration changeBackground
Growing charter activity created demand for higher-capacity aircraft.
Action taken
Air Charter introduced an Airbus A300B4, its first wide-body aircraft, and also operated two Boeing 737-200 aircraft from EAS Europe Aéro Service.
Aftermath
The fleet became more varied, supporting both higher-capacity charter missions and shorter-haul passenger operations.
1984
Shortening of the trading nameStrategyBackground
The carrier continued to develop its charter business and operate a mixed fleet.
Action taken
The trading name Air Charter International was shortened to Air Charter.
Aftermath
The shorter name was used during the airline's later expansion into wide-body and delegated scheduled operations.
1982
Launch of North American charter servicesProduct launchBackground
Air Charter sought to extend its charter activity beyond the Mediterranean and European markets.
Action taken
It began transatlantic charter flights to the United States and Canada using leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France.
Aftermath
The move gave the airline access to long-haul charter markets without requiring an entirely independent wide-body fleet.
1969
Adoption of the Air Charter International nameStrategyBackground
The airline had operated since 1966 under the corporate name Société Aérienne Française d'Affrètements, or SAFA.
Action taken
On 8 December, it adopted Air Charter International as its trading name.
Aftermath
The new name became the carrier's public identity until it was shortened to Air Charter in 1984.
Recent events
- 1998
Air Charter ceases operations[1]
Bankruptcy
Following the Air France and Air Inter merger and the completion of the subsidiary's role within the group, all Air Charter services ended on 24 October 1998.
- 1993
Air Charter begins scheduled services for Air France[1]
Other
In November, Air Charter started operating scheduled flights on behalf of Air France in addition to its charter activities.
- 1988
Air Charter introduces wide-body operations[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The carrier introduced an Airbus A300B4, its first wide-body aircraft, and also operated two Boeing 737-200 aircraft obtained from EAS Europe Aéro Service.
- 1988
Air France Flight 296Q crashes during an air-show low pass[1]
Other
An Airbus A320-100 operated for Air France, rather than as a separately identified Air Charter service, crashed into a forest during a low pass at the Habsheim Air Show. The event is associated with the wider Air France operating context and is not identified in the supplied material as an Air Charter corporate scandal.
- 1982
Air Charter expands to North American charter markets[1]
Product launch
The airline began offering transatlantic charter flights to the United States and Canada using leased Boeing 747-200 aircraft operated by Air France.
- 1972
Air Charter adds Boeing 727 aircraft[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The carrier introduced its first two Boeing 727-200 aircraft as it expanded its medium-haul charter capacity.
- 1969
Air Charter adopts the Air Charter International trading name[1]
Other
The airline changed its commercial name from SAFA to Air Charter International.
- 1966
Air Charter begins flight operations[1]
Other
The newly established Air France subsidiary began operating charter flights from Paris to destinations in the Mediterranean basin with Sud Caravelles and Lockheed Super Constellations.
Sources1 sources
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