On December 15, 2025, Aimé-Césaire airport welcomed the first direct flight from Bordeaux to Fort-de-France, operated by CORSAIR. This new route marks a strategic turning point for Martinique’s connectivity and accessibility to the Caribbean from south-western France.
A three-way partnership to enhance regional appeal
The arrival of this inaugural flight at 5:47pm is no coincidence. It is the result of several months of collaborative work between three key players: Société Aéroport Martinique Aimé Césaire (SAMAC), the airline CORSAIR and the Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme (CMT).
Nathalie Sébastien, Chairman of SAMAC’s Management Board, hails this collective dynamic: “It’s all about selling a territory, selling a destination. And that’s only possible with the partnership of an airline and the Comité du Tourisme.” For her, this route embodies a clear vision: to open Martinique’s skies to the French provinces, beyond the traditional Parisian gateways of Orly and Charles de Gaulle.
The President underlines the historical, economic and academic links between Bordeaux and Martinique. “It’s a chance for the Martinican community living in Bordeaux to return more often and more easily to Martinique, and vice versa”, she explains. But beyond the diaspora, the entire South-West region now has seamless access to Martinique, without having to transit via Paris.
Marie-Ange Ravin, CMT Board member and representative of President Bénédicte Di Geronimo, emphasizes the strategic dimension of this opening: “The development of flows from the provinces is a major strategic focus for the Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme. For a long time focused on Paris, Martinique’s accessibility is now expanding towards high-potential outbound regions.”
A line designed for mobility and accessibility
Every Monday from December 15, 2025 to April 20, 2026, CORSAIR will operate this seasonal route during the high season. The choice of day and time slots is not an insignificant one. As Nathalie Sébastien explains, “agreeing on the choice of day and time slots is important, as it will have an impact on the passenger experience.” The aim is to facilitate travel for a full week, during a period when Martinique’s airport is very busy.
Eddy Luce, CORSAIR’s Regional Director for the Antilles, confirms this strategic approach: “For us, this is a strong signal to the people of Martinique. CORSAIR continues to invest in the overseas territories to strengthen the island’s accessibility and connect it sustainably to the major French regions.” The company is currently the only one to offer direct flights from the provinces to Martinique, with Bordeaux and Nantes departing from Pointe-à-Pitre.
This route meets strong demand. Load factors have been excellent since sales opened in March 2025. “If you’d like to fly to Bordeaux, I urge you to get your ticket right away, as seats are going to be a bit tight,” warns Eddy Luce with a smile.
A modern fleet for sustainable tourism
CORSAIR has chosen to operate this route with its most modern fleet: the Airbus A330 Neo, which now accounts for 100% of its long-haul operations. These latest-generation aircraft offer a dual advantage: enhanced passenger comfort and a reduced environmental footprint.
“Their technology reduces CO₂ emissions per seat by 25% and the noise footprint by 60%,” Eddy Luce details. For the company, it’s a concrete way of contributing to more sustainable air transport while maintaining essential routes. With an average fleet age of just two years, CORSAIR has the youngest fleet in its category on the market.
This move upmarket also translates into a premium passenger experience. The company has been rewarded two years running by Skytrax as Best Leisure Airline, in 2024 and 2025. “Our ambition is clear: to offer all our customers, whatever their class of travel, a modern, high-quality flying experience,” asserts the Regional Director.
Financial and marketing support to perpetuate the line
Aware that launching a line is not enough, SAMAC has set up a tailor-made support system. “Our aim is also to enable Martiniquais to discover Bordeaux,” explains Nathalie Sébastien. The airport has committed support both in terms of airport charges and marketing, via social networks and targeted promotional actions.
On the CMT side, work on outbound markets began in September 2025 with a major operation in Bordeaux. “We organized a meeting with nearly a hundred travel agents from the Bordeaux and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, in partnership with CORSAIR and Bordeaux airport, so that agencies could program and give greater visibility to packages between Bordeaux and Fort-de-France”, explains Gaëtan Paderna.
The program continues with digital campaigns, promotional caravans and easy-to-use packages to encourage bookings. The message is clear: this line must be a long-term one.
More than an air link, a human bridge
Beyond the tourism and economic stakes, this new link has a profoundly human dimension. In particular, it meets the mobility needs of young Martiniquans studying in Bordeaux, one of France’s major university cities. “This direct service will make it easier for them to maintain links with their home territory, their families and Martinique”, emphasizes Marie-Ange Ravin.
For families in the diaspora, it’s also a new-found convenience. Travel between the two territories becomes smoother and more accessible, with a reduced carbon footprint thanks to the absence of a Paris stopover.
Nathalie Sébastien concludes with a warm invitation: “Truly, don’t be afraid to set off and discover what these two territories have to offer. A direct link means more opportunities to travel, more opportunities to discover others, even if it’s someone else you think you know. Dare to travel, dare to discover.”
This inaugural Bordeaux – Fort-de-France flight is much more than just a new air route. It’s a bridge between two territories, an opportunity for tourism, the economy, young people and the future of Martinique.
About CORSAIR CORSAIR is a French airline specializing in long-haul services to French overseas territories and leisure destinations. It operates a 100% Airbus A330 Neo fleet and was voted best leisure airline by Skytrax in 2024 and 2025.
About SAMAC SAMAC: Société Aéroport Martinique Aimé Césaire manages Martinique’s international airport, which has benefited from over 120 million euros of modernization work and can handle over 3 million passengers a year.
About CMT The Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme is responsible for promoting Martinique as a destination to national and international outbound markets.
FAQ
The direct Bordeaux – Fort-de-France flight operated by CORSAIR began on December 15, 2025, with the first inaugural flight welcomed at Aimé-Césaire airport in Martinique.
The service runs once a week, every Monday, from December 15, 2025 to April 20, 2026, during the peak tourist season.
CORSAIR operates this route with Airbus A330 Neo, latest-generation aircraft that reduce CO₂ emissions per seat and enhance passenger comfort.
