«Connecting Bordeaux directly to Martinique isn’t just about launching a new airline route—it’s about bringing regions, families, and projects closer together in a lasting way.»
The launch of Corsair’s direct Bordeaux–Fort-de-France route marks the official start of regional flights for the winter season. Operating every Monday from December through April, this nonstop route meets a strong demand from travelers, as noted by Mr. Eddy Luce, regional director of Corsair:
Eddy Luçe
«There is a real demand for simple, direct solutions that don't require a connection through Paris.»
For the company, this expansion reflects a strong conviction: to connect the province directly to its overseas territories and reach out to travelers where they live. Nathalie Sébastien, Chair of the SAMAC Executive Board, confirmed this shift in usage:
«Today, travelers want shorter, smoother itineraries and to avoid having to transfer luggage.»
Nathalie Sébastien
This direct route thus connects two regions that share long-standing academic and personal ties, with a sizeable Martinican community in Bordeaux, while providing residents of southwestern France with easier access to Martinique.
A partnership that goes beyond tourism and strengthens human and economic ties
Ms. Ravin
For the Martinique Tourism Committee (CMT), this opening is part of a long-term strategy. Speaking on behalf of CMT President Bénédicte di Géronimo, Ms. Ravin emphasized that «The growth of traffic from the province is now a major strategic priority.». Long focused on the Île-de-France region, Martinique’s accessibility is expanding to high-potential source markets such as Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a dynamic region with strong ties to the overseas territories. This route not only facilitates the arrival of tourists but also makes it easier for families, professionals, and especially students to travel. Since Bordeaux is a major university city, «This connection will make it easier for many young people from Martinique to maintain ties with their homeland.», ," Ms. Ravin emphasized.
Bruno Brival, Executive Director of the CMT added that this distinct customer base often travels outside of the traditional peak seasons: «This helps distribute visitor flows more evenly and boost tourism over a longer period.»He also mentioned the significant potential of this route, which could eventually attract several hundred thousand passengers.
Corsair: A Driving Force Behind the Project and a Commitment to a Sustainable Connection
At the heart of this expansion, Corsair is fully embracing its role.
«We are currently the only airline offering a direct flight between Bordeaux and Martinique,»,
Eddy Luçe reiterated, highlighting the company’s commitment to its overseas territories. This route is part of a broader regional development strategy, which also includes direct flights between the province and the Caribbean. Corsair operates this route with a fleet of 100 % Airbus A330 neo aircraft—the newest in its class—offering greater onboard comfort while reducing CO₂ emissions per seat by 25 % and noise levels by 60 %. «This is our practical way of balancing performance, service quality, and environmental responsibility.», ," explained Mr. Luçe, who also noted the recent awards the company has received for the quality of its leisure offerings.
For her part, Nathalie Sébastien emphasized the ability of Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport to support this momentum, thanks to more than 120 million euros in investments, an expanded capacity of three million passengers, and a special focus on the passenger experience. Finally, all partners emphasized that this route is the result of close collaboration, combining feasibility studies, coordinated scheduling, and targeted promotional efforts, all with a shared goal: to establish the Bordeaux–Fort-de-France route as a new air bridge between Martinique and mainland France for the long term.
