New French airline will diversify and offer more domestic travel options
The new airline is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2027
At launch, aircraft will carry fewer than 10 passengers per flight
Air Inter Région
A new French airline is set to launch in early 2027, offering short-haul, low-capacity flights and further diversifying domestic travel options in France.
The airline, called Air Inter Région, was founded by 46-year-old pilot Franck Crépin. It targets demand for direct interregional travel, which he believes will grow as hybrid working becomes increasingly common.
At launch, aircraft will carry fewer than 10 passengers per flight, operating short routes of under two hours using small aircraft. The aim is to provide faster, more efficient connections between regional airports that are currently poorly served or not served at all.
“Demographics are shifting towards coastal areas. And recent years have shown us that there will be a demand for transportation for hybrid work, with the ability to quickly reach clients,” says Franck Crépin, as reported by Franceinfo.
He argues that many travellers currently have to take long train journeys, sometimes up to four hours, due to a lack of direct regional flight options. For example, there is currently no direct service between Lille and Rennes.
Mr Crépin also believes these services could help ease pressure on busy train stations and improve regional connectivity.
“By offering flights such as Lille to Rennes in an hour and a half using small aircraft, compared with four hours by TGV, we save travellers a night in a hotel and help relieve congestion in the Paris region,” he said.
The airline also plans to introduce very short connections, such as a 20-minute flight between Le Touquet and Lille, compared with around two hours by car or train.
In the longer term, the company aims to serve 18 airports, including five regional hubs: Lille, Rouen, Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux, as well as a wide range of coastal destinations along the English Channel and Atlantic coastline.
However, the airline still needs to complete recruitment, regulatory approval and secure full funding. It expects to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027.
Over a ten-year period, the company’s strategy is to expand its fleet to around 30 aircraft and carry approximately 125,000 passengers annually.
