Corsica's Airport: What Travelers Need To Know

is htere an airport on corsica

Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean with a population of 339,000 people and a landmass of 3,368 square miles (8,722 sq km). Despite its small size, Corsica has four commercial airports: Ajaccio, Calvi, Figari, and Bastia. In addition to its commercial airports, Corsica also has two military or general aviation airports, bringing the total number of airports on the island to six.

Characteristics Values
Number of commercial airports 4
Number of airports including military and general aviation airports 6
Population 339,000
Landmass 3,368 square miles (8,722 sq km)
Main commercial airport Ajaccio Airport
Location of Ajaccio Airport West of Corsica
Number of operators at Ajaccio Airport 19
Number of passengers at Ajaccio Airport in 2021 1.2 million
Smallest airport Calvi Airport
Number of operators at Calvi Airport 9
Location of Calvi Airport Northwest
Location of Figari Airport Far south of the island
Number of passengers at Figari Airport in 2021 790,000

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Corsica has four commercial airports

Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean that is known for its mountainous terrain. In fact, it is the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. It has a population of 339,000 people and a landmass of 3,368 square miles (8,722 sq km). Despite its relatively small size, Corsica has four commercial airports: Ajaccio, Calvi, Figari, and Bastia.

Ajaccio is the main commercial airport located in the west of Corsica. It serves the largest settlement on the island, also called Ajaccio. This airport sees services by 19 operators, including Air Corsica, Air France, Vueling, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Norwegian, and SAS. Pre-pandemic, it served 1.56 million passengers, and in 2021, 1.2 million passed through its doors.

Calvi Airport is located in the northwest of Corsica and is the smallest of the four airports. It has service from nine operators, including Air Corsica, Air France, easyJet, Luxair, SWISS, and Transavia. Calvi is a very small and basic airport facility.

Figari Airport is located in the far south of the island, just a couple of miles outside the small village of Figari. While Figari itself is not a popular tourist destination, the location of the airport makes it easy to reach larger resorts such as Porto-Vecchio, Sartene, and Bonifacio. Figari is served by Air Corsica year-round, and other operators include Air France, British Airways, easyJet, Edelweiss, and SWISS. It is the only Corsican airport served by low-cost carrier Ryanair, which connects it seasonally to Beauvais, Charleroi, and Rome.

In addition to these four commercial airports, Corsica also has two military or general aviation airports, bringing the total number of airports on the island to six. This is a surprisingly large number of airports for an island of Corsica's size, especially when compared to other islands. For example, Malta, which has a larger population than Corsica, only has one airport, while Sardinia, which has a much larger landmass, only has three commercial airports.

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The mountainous island also has two military or general aviation airports

Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean known for its mountainous terrain. It has four commercial airports: Ajaccio, Calvi, Figari, and Bastia. The island also has two military or general aviation airports, bringing the total number of airports to six. This is a surprisingly high number given Corsica's small size and population. For comparison, Malta, which has a larger population of 504,000, only has one airport, while Sardinia, with a landmass of 9,300 square miles and a population of 1.64 million, has three commercial airports.

Ajaccio is the main commercial airport in Corsica, serving the island's largest settlement, also called Ajaccio. It is located on the west side of the island. The other commercial airports are also strategically placed to serve popular tourist destinations. For example, Figari Airport, located in the far south of the island, provides easy access to larger resorts such as Porto-Vecchio, Sartene, and Bonifacio. Meanwhile, Calvi Airport in the northwest is the smallest of the four commercial airports, serving as a gateway to the island's interior.

Corsica's airports are served by a variety of airlines, including Air Corsica, Air France, easyJet, Luxair, SWISS, Transavia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Norwegian, SAS, Vueling, and Ryanair. These airlines connect Corsica to a range of destinations, including major European cities like Paris, Barcelona, London, Frankfurt, Munich, Madrid, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Gothenburg.

The presence of multiple airports on Corsica is partly due to the island's mountainous terrain, which can make travel by road or rail less appealing to visitors. Flying into an airport close to their final destination is often a more convenient option for travellers. Additionally, the island's history of military use may have contributed to the development of aviation infrastructure. During World War II, the US military opened 17 airfields on Corsica.

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The main commercial airport is in Ajaccio

Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for its mountainous terrain and hair-raising mountain roads. Despite its relatively small size, Corsica has four commercial airports. The island also has six airports in total if you include military and general aviation airports. The main commercial airport is in Ajaccio, which is the largest settlement on the island.

Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, formerly known as Campo dell'Oro Airport, is located 5 km from the city centre and the harbour. It is the main base of the regional airline Air Corsica, which operates services to continental France. The airport is named after Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio. The airport is also the headquarters of Air Corsica.

The airport is open to national and international commercial traffic, as well as private aircraft. It serves 37 routes, including 27 national and 10 international routes across seven countries. Ajaccio airport has eight airlines operating from it, including Air France, EasyJet, and Luxair. The airport has six parking lots with almost 1,500 spaces in total, including four public parking lots.

The airport offers regular bus services and taxis, as well as car rental agencies such as Avis, Hertz, and Europcar. It is the busiest airport in Corsica in terms of passenger numbers, handling more than 1.3 million travellers a year. Pre-pandemic, the airport served 1.56 million passengers, and in 2021, 1.2 million passengers passed through its doors.

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Figari Airport is served by low-cost airline, Ryanair

Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean with a landmass of 3,368 square miles (8,722 sq km) and a population of 339,000 people. Despite its small size, Corsica has four commercial airports: Ajaccio, Calvi, Bastia, and Figari.

Figari Airport is located in the far south of the island, just a couple of miles outside the small village of Figari. While Figari itself isn't a popular tourist destination, the airport is conveniently located near larger and more popular resorts, including Porto-Vecchio, Sartene, and Bonifacio. This makes it an ideal destination for those looking for an authentic insight into Corsican life and traditions.

The airport is served by a number of airlines, including Air Corsica, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, Edelweiss, and SWISS. However, it is the only Corsican airport served by the low-cost airline Ryanair, which connects it seasonally to destinations such as Beauvais, Charleroi, and Rome. Ryanair offers cheap flights to Figari, making it a great option for budget-conscious travellers looking to explore the beauty and adventures that Corsica has to offer.

Ryanair's website advertises Figari as the perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting the region's incredible natural landscape and numerous opportunities for water sports, mountain hiking, and beach activities. The medieval town of Bonifacio, the oldest in Corsica, is also a short distance from Figari and is a favourite among sightseers and history enthusiasts.

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To reach Bonifacio, you can also opt to travel by boat

Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean, has four commercial airports. These are located in Ajaccio, Calvi, Figari, and Bastia. The island is also home to two military or general aviation airports, bringing the total number of airports on the island to six.

To reach Bonifacio, a town in Corse du Sud, Corsica, you can opt to travel by boat. There are several options for boat tours and water sports in Bonifacio, including:

  • Sailing boat tours, which offer an exclusive, sporty, and comfortable experience.
  • Speed boat tours, which can be booked through companies like Extreme Sud Jet.
  • Catamaran trips to the Lavezzi Islands, which depart from Piantarella Beach or the port of Bonifacio.
  • Motorboat trips to the Southern Corsican region, which also depart from Piantarella Beach and include swimming stops.

In addition to these options, there are also ferries that service the Bonifacio ferry terminal. Moby Lines and Ichnusa Lines operate daily services for Corsica-Sardinia-Corsica crossings between Bonifacio and Santa Teresa di Gallura. The nearest port to link Corsica to the mainland is Porto-Vecchio, located about 25 km north of Bonifacio. La Méridionale and Corsica Ferries serve the Porto-Vecchio ferry terminal for crossings from Marseille, Toulon, and Nice.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are four commercial airports in Corsica.

The four commercial airports in Corsica are located in Ajaccio, Calvi, Figari, and Bastia.

Airlines that fly to Corsica include Air Corsica, Air France, Vueling, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Norwegian, SAS, easyJet, Luxair, SWISS, and Transavia.

The airports in Corsica serve a significant number of passengers. For example, the Figari airport saw 749,000 passengers in 2019 and 790,000 in 2021.

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