Charlie Hebdo: AirFrance supplies passengers with copies of satirical magazine targeted in terror attack

To cope with demand, the print run of this week's special international edition was increased from 40,000 to 5 million

The new edition of Charlie Hebdo is prepared for delivery at a press distribution center in the suburb of Marne La Valle in Paris

AirFrance has supplied passengers with the first issue of Charlie Hebdo to be published since its offices were targeted by terrorists last week.

In the wake of the tragic attack in Paris last week in which 12 people were killed, demand for the publication has skyrocketed.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the usual print run of 40,000 copies would be upped to 3million. It was later announced that, to cope with demand, the print run of this week's special international edition of Charlie Hebdo would be increased to 5 million.

A spokeswoman from AirFrance confirmed that the firm bought 20,000 copies of the often controversial satirical magazine.

“They have been located in the lounges and boarding areas of both Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) for passengers who wish to take a copy.

"This offer is meant as a support to a French press title," she told The Independent.

Since Friday, remaining Charlie Hebdo team members used the offices of French daily newspaper Libération to compile the edition dubbed the 'survivors issue'.

As the latest issue hit shelves across 25 countries this morning, there was high demand for the scarce copies, with several newspapers in Europe running special supplements of Charlie Hebdo cartoons to satiate curious readers.

These included Spain's El Pais published a two-page supplement with Spanish translation, and a small Italian newspaper, Il Fatto Quotidiano (The Daily Fact), which published Charlie Hebdo as a 16-page supplement, in French with Italian translations of the captions.

Physical copies of Charlie Hebdo were hard to find, though newsagents in several countries said they hoped to have some in stock by the end of the week.

Additional reporting by AP