Air Corsica (full name: Compagnie Aérienne Corse Méditerranée S.A.E.M.) is the flag carrier of the French island region of Corsica, operating as a regional full-service airline with scheduled passenger and charter flights. Headquartered on the grounds of Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) in Ajaccio, Corsica, it is a semi-public limited company (SAS) with a capital of €15,015,520, majority-owned by the Collectivité Territoriale de Corse (Corsican regional authority) and Air France–KLM. The airline focuses on connecting Corsica’s four main airports to mainland France and select international destinations, fulfilling public service obligations on 12 year-round routes while expanding seasonal tourism links. It holds IATA certification and IOSA/ISO 9002 for safety and operations, and emphasizes sustainability through fleet modernization. Services include codeshares with Air France and ITA Airways, and loyalty programs like Flying Blue and Air Corsica Mea.Key operational details include:
- Fleet: As of August 2025, 13 aircraft, comprising 2 Airbus A320-200s (180 seats, short/medium-haul), 4 Airbus A320neos (186 seats, fuel-efficient narrow-bodies), and 7 ATR 72-600s (72 seats, regional turboprops). This reflects full harmonization of the regional fleet to the ATR 72-600 standard (completed in 2024) and inclusion of A320neos, with no active orders noted. The airline was the first French operator of the A320neo (2019) and launch customer for the PW127XT engine on ATRs.
- Network: Serves 24 destinations across France, Belgium, Italy, and the UK, with ~33 routes (primarily domestic, plus seasonal international). Major hubs: Ajaccio (AJA), Bastia–Poretta (BIA), Calvi–Sainte-Catherine (CLY), Figari–Sud Corse (FSC). Year-round routes include Paris–Orly, Marseille, Nice, Lyon, and Toulouse; seasonal additions: Brussels (Charleroi), Milan (Malpensa), Rome (Fiumicino), London (Stansted), Porto, Salzburg, Vienna, and Copenhagen. Operates ~30 annual seasonal routes, with bases in Marseille, Nice, and Paris–Orly.
- Codes and Allowances: IATA code XK; ICAO code CCM; Call sign: CORSICA. Baggage: Economy typically 1x23kg checked + 8kg carry-on (domestic/international varies by route); Business not offered, but premium seats available on select flights. Passenger service system: Amadeus Altéa.
- Workforce and Performance: Employs ~700 staff (including 660 permanent as of recent data). Carries millions of passengers annually, supporting Corsica’s economy with a focus on reliability and regional connectivity; financials not publicly detailed, but growth driven by tourism recovery post-COVID.
Air Corsica positions itself as Corsica’s essential air bridge, prioritizing sustainable, efficient travel to enhance island accessibility and economic ties.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Air Corsica (formerly Compagnie Corse Méditerranée, then CCM Airlines) |
| Founded | 1 January 1989 |
| First Flight / Commencement | June 1990 |
| Headquarters / Main Base | Ajaccio, Corsica, France |
| Secondary Hubs / Stopovers | Bastia (Poretta), Calvi (Sainte‑Catherine), Figari (Sud‑Corse), and frequent stopovers in Marseille, Nice, Paris‑Orly |
| Ownership / Structure | Semi‑public mixed economy company — majority owned (~66.84%) by the Corsican Regional Authority, with minority shareholders including Air France, Crédit Agricole, etc. |
| Fleet | ~13–14 aircraft: mix of turboprops (ATR 72‑600) and Airbus A320 / A320neo types |
| Destinations / Network | Domestic French mainland (Paris, Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Toulouse, etc.) + seasonal international destinations in Europe; regular and seasonal service; public service obligations on Corsica‑Mainland routes |
| Employees | Around 660–770 employees (varies by year) |
| Annual Traffic / Key Figures | ~1.5 to 2 million passengers per year; Ÿ revenue around €170‑180 million (recent years); moderate profitability with occasional small losses |
| Frequent Flyer / Codeshare | Participation in travel programs including an identity tied to Corsican identity; partnerships / code-share / cooperation especially with Air France on Corsica‑France routes |
Brief History
Air Corsica was founded on January 1, 1989, by Corsican politician Pierre-Philippe Ceccaldi as Compagnie Corse Méditerranée (CCM) to bolster the island’s air links, starting operations in June 1990 with ATR-72s on routes from Ajaccio, Bastia, and Calvi to Nice. Initially focused on domestic services, it expanded its fleet and network in the 1990s–2000s, adding Airbus A320s for medium-haul and seasonal charters, while securing public service contracts from the Corsican Assembly.
In 2001, it optimized operations with seasonal lines to Strasbourg, Nantes, and Bordeaux, and earned ATR-72 type certifications for its training center. The 2010s brought rebranding to Air Corsica in October 2010, fleet renewal with six ATR 72-500s (starting 2001, deliveries through the decade), and international growth to Brussels-Charleroi and beyond. It became France’s first A320neo operator in December 2019 and ordered five ATR 72-600s in November 2021 (powered by PW127XT engines) for sustainability.
The 2020s focused on modernization and recovery: Completed ATR fleet upgrade with two additional ATR 72-600s delivered in early 2024, fully transitioning from -500 series. Post-COVID, it restored capacity, added seasonal routes, and deepened partnerships with Air France (franchise operations) and ITA Airways. By August 2025, the airline operates a harmonized 13-aircraft fleet, serving 24 destinations and reinforcing its role as Corsica’s leading carrier amid tourism rebound.
| Year / Period | Event / Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Founded by the Corsican Assembly (initiated by Pierre‑Philippe Ceccaldi) to ensure Corsica has its own air operator and better connections to mainland France. |
| June 1990 | First commercial flight under the name Compagnie Corse Méditerranée (CCM) takes off. |
| 2000 | Renamed from CCM to “CCM Airlines” (a minor rebranding). |
| October 2010 | Major rebranding: adopted “Air Corsica” as official name. |
| 2019 | Took delivery of first Airbus A320neo, becoming first operator in France of this type. |
| Recent years | Fleet renewal underway (newer ATRs, A320neos); expansion of seasonal international routes; stronger environmental / CSR focus (e.g. reduction of CO₂ emissions, fleet modernization, waste‑sorting onboard). |
