The figure comes from a new socioeconomic impact study carried out in 2026 by Herbert Castéran, director of the Institut Mines-Télécom Business School, examining the group’s contribution across Europe.

In Portugal, the study estimates that Air France-KLM’s activities supported 24,517 jobs and generated €23 million in direct and indirect tax contributions.

Annual investment

The group’s direct annual investment in the Portuguese economy reached €42 million, with €1.8 million paid in salaries to employees resident in Portugal.

This study also shows the economic impact of airport activity at €110 million, with the combined effect of salaries and the resulting purchasing power estimated at a further €268 million.

These figures come as Air France-KLM is among the groups competing in the ongoing reprivatisation process for TAP Air Portugal, adding another dimension to the carrier’s existing economic footprint in the country.

Air France-KLM’s contribution to Portugal is relatively high compared with several other European markets where the group operates, representing 0.3 percent of GDP in Spain and 0.2 percent in both Germany and Italy.

The Netherlands recorded the highest share at 2.4 percent, followed by France at 1.8 percent.

Across the European Union, the group’s economic contribution was considerably larger in absolute terms, generating more than €113 billion for the EU economy in 2025, equivalent to around 0.6 percent of the bloc’s GDP.

Tax revenue

The group says its operations also generated more than €12.9 billion in tax revenue across the EU and supported more than 1.2 million jobs, including direct, indirect and induced employment.

According to the study, the economic benefits extend beyond the countries and regions directly served by Air France-KLM flights, with activity linked to the group impacting all EU member states.

On average, the group estimates its overall economic contribution at around €252 per EU resident in 2025.

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