A Brief Guide To The Main Airlines Serving France’s Overseas Territories

Although France typically refers to the Western European Republic, it also includes many small pieces of land scattered around the globe. Specifically, “Overseas France” can mean a list of regions, departments, collectives (including one sui generis collectivity), and territories that are the remains of the French colonial empire. By some estimates, nearly 3 million people live on French overseas land, but which parts have their own airline?
Corsica
While some will consider this island situated Southeast of France and West of Italy as part of the mainland, there is a unique, local airline operating at all of its four airports, and as a result, it makes the list. Throughout the year, you can find seasonal services from many European carriers, including but not limited to British Airways, easyJet, Eurowings, Lufthansa, and SWISS. But all year round, Air France provides service from Paris-Orly to each airport on the island and other French cities seasonally.
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Photo: ATR
However, the “Island of Beauty” does have a locally based airline, Air Corsica. They have a total fleet of 17 aircraft, including six ATR72-600s (one of which they leased from Braathens Regional Airways), four Airbus A320-200s, three ATR72-500s, two A320neos, one ATR42-500, and a Boeing 737-700 leased from ASL Airlines France. Besides year-round service from Corsica to cities like Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, and Toulouse, they offer seasonal routes to destinations in Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, and other French cities.
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Réunion and Mayotte
Moving to the nation’s territory off the East African coast, we will first go to Réunion island. There are two airports, but only one is the primary, Roland Garros Airport. Some carriers serving this island territory include Air France, Air Madagascar, Air Mauritius, Corsair International, and, seasonally, Etihad.
But, Réunion is also home to its airline, Air Austral, with routes to various African countries, Mayotte, mainland France, Thailand, India, and China. The carrier operates three A220-300s, three Boeing 777-300ERs, two 787-8s, one ATR72-600 (leased from their subsidiary, EWA Air), and a Boeing 737-800 (they own a second, but it’s leased to EWA Air).
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Mayotte, another French island on the other side of Madagascar from Réunion, is home to just one airport, Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport. African carriers Air Madagascar and Kenyan Airways service the airport, as do Corsair International and, as mentioned above, Air Austral. Also mentioned above was EWA Air, the primary airline serving this small island.
Besides the Boeing 737-800 they lease from and the ATR72-600 they lease to Air Austral, the small carrier owns another ATR of the same type, helping serve their routes to Comoros, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
Oceanic Territory (French Polynesia, New Caledonia*, Wallis, and Futuna)
Aircalin, the flag carrier of the sui generis collectivity New Caledonia (self-governing, with ongoing referendums), is vital in connecting multiple regional territories. For example, they are the only airline servicing the airports of Wallis and Futuna, with routes to Fiji and New Caledonia. From Nouméa, New Caledonia, travelers could fly with flag carriers Air New Zealand, Qantas, or Air Vanuatu. However, Aircalin operates to the same destinations those airlines serve, as well as Singapore, Tokyo, and Tahiti.
Photo: Ryken Martin | Shutterstock
Speaking of Tahiti, frequent travelers may recognize the brightly colored 787s with “Air Tahiti Nui” written on the side. This is the flag carrier for French Polynesia and mainly serves international destinations in France, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States with their four Dreamliners.
Fun fact: this carrier usually has a layover in LAX before traveling to Paris. However, due to shutdowns in the early days of the pandemic, Air Tahiti Nui set the record for the “longest domestic flight,” from Papeete to Paris, lasting nearly 16 hours.
Photo: ATR
Last but not least is Air Tahiti, connecting dozens of local French Polynesian destinations with a robust fleet of eight ATR72-600s, two ATR42-600s, and a single DHC-6-300. In addition, the carrier has two ATR42-600S and another ATR72-600 aircraft on the way, bringing their fleet total to 14.
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, are two islands called Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. The primary carrier for these two islands, with service to various Canadian cities and Paris CDG, is Air Saint-Pierre. That said, according to the airline’s website, their direct service to France is only seasonal, so for part of the year, travel to this overseas territory must involve at least one connection.
Latin America (Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)
For some of the French territories located in Latin America, travelers have many options. For example, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Martin (if you include the airport on the Dutch side of the island) are all connected by multiple prominent North American and European carriers. When traveling between the islands or to worse-connected territories, we see numerous Latin American-based French airlines.
With its base at Rémy de Haenen Airport, Saint Barthélemy, a small carrier called St. Barth Commuter, serves the local area. They have a fleet of six Cessna Grand Caravans and offer scheduled service to Guadeloupe and both sides of Saint Martin, alongside chartered services to most Caribbean islands.
From Guadeloupe, based at Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, is Air Antilles. According to ch-aviation, they own 11 aircraft, though two are stored, while one is leased out and in maintenance. The other eight are a mix of two DHC-6-400s and one -300s, a couple of ATR42-500s and ATR72-600s, and one ATR42-600. They offer air service to many destinations around the Caribbean, as well as Miami and Paris, via partnerships. Air Antilles is owned by another French airline, Air Guyane, and as a result, offers services to France’s territory in South America, French Guiana. However, Cayenne, French Guiana, is also serviced by Air France and the last French airline on this list.
Photo: Airbus
Also based in Guadeloupe, with hubs locally and at Paris-Orly, and a focus city of Fort-de-France, Martinique, Air Caraïbes. They are a more significant player, connecting Europe to the Caribbean, and have an impressive fleet of three ATR72-600s, two A330-300s, three A350-900s, and three -1000s.
Have you ever traveled with one of these French airlines? Let us know in the comments below!
Sources: ch-aviation