Aviation in France dates back to the early 1900s the country's first flight was recorded by Louis Blériot in 1909.

On 7 January 1785 Jean-Pierre Blanchard crossed the English Channel, from Dover to Calais, on board a hydrogen balloon.

He was accompanied by John Jeffries, who was the first passenger to fly from the United Kingdom to France.

France is home to aerospace giant Airbus, which has its headquarters and main facilities located in Toulouse.

[7] Airbus's planes fly for hundreds of active airlines, governments and private owners all over the world.