TAP Air Portugal marked the 60th anniversary of the regular jet air service between Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday with a gala held at Casino Estoril, organised in partnership with the Luso-Brazilian Foundation and Turismo de Cascais.
The event brought together TAP’s institutional and business partners in Portugal and Brazil, as well as guests of the Luso-Brazilian Foundation and Turismo de Cascais, in a celebration of one of the most emblematic connections in the airline’s history and an enduring symbol of the closeness between the two countries.
The session included speeches by TAP Chairman Carlos Oliveira and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Luís Rodrigues, who highlighted the historical and strategic importance of the connection between Portugal and Brazil.
The Lisbon-Rio de Janeiro route, inaugurated six decades ago, continues to play a central role in TAP’s operations in Brazil. In 2026, the airline expects to carry more than 2.2 million passengers between Portugal and Brazil and further strengthen its position as the leading European airline connecting the two markets. TAP serves 15 Brazilian cities.
Over these 60 years, the connection between Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro has helped bring people, businesses and cultures closer together, establishing itself as one of the most important air bridges between Europe and Brazil. TAP operates up to 17 weekly flights between Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) and Rio de Janeiro.
The gala held at Casino Estoril included a cultural programme specially designed to mark the anniversary, featuring performances by Ney Matogrosso, accompanied by Pedro Jóia and his band, and António Zambujo, renowned artists who symbolise the richness and cultural closeness between Portugal and Brazil.
A partner in the initiative, the Luso-Brazilian Foundation promotes cultural, educational, technological and heritage projects that strengthen the ties between Portugal, Brazil and Portuguese-speaking communities.
