Aside from Air France and its regional subsidiary Air France Hop, France has many interesting airlines that can be seen when visiting its airports.
These carriers perform a variety of services, from regional routes to long-haul links and charters.
Among these are a range of aircraft types to be seen and spotted.
Here’s a summary of the ‘other’ airlines in France:
Air Corsica
ICAO: CCM | IATA: XK
Founded in 1989 as Compagnie Corse Méditerranée, Air Corsica is the leading airline serving the French island of Corsica. Operating a fleet of ATR and Airbus aircraft, it connects Corsica to mainland France and select European destinations. The airline works closely with Air France and has its main base at Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport.
Fleet:
2x Airbus A320-200
4x Airbus A320neo
1x ATR42-500
6x ATR72-600
Amelia
Photo (c) Jerzy Jabłoński
ICAO: AIA | IATA: XZ
Amelia, formerly known as Regourd Aviation, is a French regional airline operating scheduled and charter services. Founded in 1977, it has grown into a key player in niche markets, serving underserved regional routes across France and Europe. It operates Embraer and ATR aircraft and is headquartered in Paris.
Fleet:
2x Airbus A319-100
2x Airbus A320-200
1x ATR42
3x ATR72
4x Embraer 135
9x Embraer 145
ASL Airlines France
ASL Airlines France has a bright yellow livery.
ICAO: FPO | IATA: 5O
ASL Airlines France traces its roots to Air France’s former cargo division. Operating under different names over the years, it became ASL Airlines in 2015 when ASL Aviation Holdings acquired Europe Airpost. It operates cargo and passenger services using Boeing 737 aircraft, with a strong presence in charter, ACMI, and freight operations.
Fleet:
2x Boeing 737-300F
3x Boeing 737-400F
1x Boeing 737-700
1x Boeing 737-800
12x Boeing 737-800BCF
Chalair Aviation
Photo (c) Dylan Agbagni (CC0)
ICAO: CLG | IATA: CE
Founded in 1986, Chalair Aviation is a regional carrier operating domestic flights in France. It primarily serves secondary airports and smaller destinations, using a fleet of Beechcraft and ATR aircraft. The airline has maintained a strong presence in connecting cities like Brest, Limoges, and Quimper.
Fleet:
3x ATR42-500
1x ATR72-500
CMA CGM Air Cargo
Photo (c) Michael Steffen
ICAO: CMA | IATA: 2C
Established in 2021 by the CMA CGM shipping group, CMA CGM Air Cargo is France’s newest dedicated cargo airline. It operates a fleet of Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 freighters, focusing on global logistics and supply chain solutions. The airline is headquartered in Marseille and has partnerships with Air France-KLM.
Fleet:
1x Airbus A330-200F
3x Boeing 777F
On order : 8x Airbus A350F
Corsair International
ICAO: CRL | IATA: SS
Founded in 1981, Corsair International is a French long-haul airline specializing in leisure travel. It operates Airbus A330 aircraft, connecting France with destinations in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Africa. Originally part of TUI Group, Corsair has rebranded multiple times and remains a key player in the French holiday market.
Fleet:
2x Airbus A330-300
9x Airbus A330-900neo
Finist’air
ICAO: FTR | IATA: None
A small regional airline based in Brest, Finist’air has operated since 1981, offering essential air services to remote destinations in Brittany. It primarily flies short domestic routes, including a vital link between Brest and the island of Ouessant, using small aircraft such as the Cessna 208 Caravan.
Fleet:
1x Cessna 208 Caravan
French Bee
Olivier CABARET, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
ICAO: FBU | IATA: BF
French Bee is a low-cost, long-haul airline founded in 2016. Part of the Dubreuil Group, which also owns Air Caraïbes, the airline operates Airbus A350 aircraft, flying from Paris to destinations in the Caribbean, the United States, and the Indian Ocean. It aims to provide budget-friendly fares on transatlantic and leisure routes.
Fleet:
4x Airbus A350-900
2x Airbus A350-1000
La Compagnie
Adam Moreira (AEMoreira042281), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
ICAO: DJT | IATA: B0
Launched in 2013, La Compagnie is a boutique airline offering all-business-class flights between France and the United States. It operates a fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft, providing a premium experience with lie-flat seats and onboard Wi-Fi. The airline focuses on affordability while maintaining a high-end product.
Fleet:
2x Airbus A321neo
On order: 2x Airbus A321neoLR
Transavia France
ICAO: TVF | IATA: TO
Transavia France is a low-cost airline founded in 2006 as a joint venture between Air France and Transavia. It primarily operates leisure flights to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, using a fleet of Boeing 737-800s. It has expanded significantly, playing a key role in Air France-KLM’s budget airline strategy.
Fleet:
12x Airbus A320neo
68x Boeing 737-800
On order: 77x Airbus A320neo/A321neo
Twinjet
Photo (c) James
ICAO: TJT | IATA: T7
Twinjet is a French regional airline founded in 2001. It specializes in business and scheduled regional flights across France and neighboring countries, using a fleet of Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. Based in Aix-en-Provence, the airline connects smaller cities and provides essential air links to underserved destinations.
Fleet:
13x Beech 1900D
Have you flown on any of these airlines? Which livery do you love the most? Leave a comment below!
