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Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea with a population of 339,000 people. Despite its small size, it has four commercial airports: Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, Bastia Airport, Calvi Airport, and Figari Airport. Each airport serves a different region of the island, with Ajaccio being the largest airport and serving the largest settlement on the island.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of commercial airports | 4 |
| Number of airports (including military and general aviation airports) | 6 |
| Main airport | Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport |
| Airport with the most passengers pre-pandemic | Ajaccio Airport (1.67 million) |
| Second airport with the most passengers pre-pandemic | Bastia Airport (1.56 million) |
| Smallest airport | Calvi Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport
The airport is situated in the east of the city, and it takes around 20 minutes to reach the city centre, which is less than 10 km away. The airport is easily accessible by car, bus, or taxi. Buses run from the airport to the bus station in town at a rate of around one bus per hour. Taxis are available throughout the day for travellers arriving at the airport. Car rental services are also available at the airport, with several agencies on-site, including Ada, Avis, Citer, Europcar, Hertz, and Rent A Car. Parking is available at the airport for a fee, with spaces costing €3 for one hour and around €10.50 for the day. There is also a smaller free parking area near the beach.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was a grass field used by the Free French Air Force. In 1944, the United States Army Air Forces took over and paved the runways, forming the foundation of the modern airport. The airport has since been improved and expanded, offering various services and amenities to travellers.
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Bastia Airport
Several airlines offer regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Bastia Airport, making it a convenient gateway to the northern part of Corsica. From the airport, famous destinations such as Folelli, Pietranera, Miomo, Moriani Plage, Saint Florent, and Patrimonio are within easy reach.
Hiring a car is recommended for exploring Bastia and the rest of the island, as Corsica's unique geography includes many must-see places that are difficult to access without a vehicle. Air Corsica, in partnership with Hertz, offers the Drive+ option, which allows travellers to hire a car at preferential rates when booking their flight or even after their arrival. Other car rental companies represented at the airport include Ada, Avis, Citer, and Europcar.
Bastia, a coastal resort known for its art, history, and charming environment, has several must-see attractions. These include the old port of Terra Vecchia, the Genoese Palais des Gouverneurs (a former citadel turned local history museum), the Terra Nova citadel, and the Sainte Marie de l’Assomption cathedral. The city also boasts the largest church in Corsica, the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste.
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Calvi Airport
The Airport of Calvi Sainte Catherine, also known as Calvi Airport, is an international airport situated only eight kilometres away from the city of Calvi in the north-east of Corsica. It is the gateway to Balagne, providing easy access to villages such as Lumio, Calenzana, and Galeria. The airport has a car park with 200 parking spaces equipped with security cameras, and parking tariffs range from 1.50 to 4 Euros per day.
Hiring a car is a popular option for visitors, with several car rental companies represented at the airport, including Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Citer. Car rental is recommended to fully explore the island, as some tourist spots are difficult to reach without a vehicle. From the airport, the city centre of Calvi is within a five-kilometre radius, but other attractions such as the Calanche de Piana or Scandola Nature Reserve are about 70 kilometres away.
For those who do not wish to drive, there are alternative transportation options available. Taxis are readily available in front of the arrivals hall, and a private transport company also services the airport. Additionally, there are two shuttle services mentioned on the airport's website: "les beaux voyages" and "autocars Mariani". However, it is important to note that there is no public shuttle service between the airport and Calvi town centre.
The airport has demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability by obtaining the "Airport Carbon Accreditation" label at the REDUCTION level. It has implemented a decarbonization plan, modernized its infrastructure, and joined the Aéro Biodiversité association. With its focus on environmental impact and the range of transportation options available, Calvi Sainte Catherine Airport provides a convenient and environmentally conscious gateway to the beauty and attractions of Corsica.
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Figari Airport
Figari South Corsica Airport is located in the southernmost tip of Corsica, attracting many prestigious and famous people. It is situated halfway between Bonifacio (22 km away) and Porto-Vecchio (25 km away). The airport features an unattended pay car park with 250 spaces and a monitored car park run by Europcar. Tariffs start from €2 for the first fifteen minutes and go up to €3 for one day and €3.50 for each additional day. Taxis, shuttles, and rental cars are available at the airport. Car rental companies such as Air Corsica, Avis, EuropcarNational/Citer, and Hertz are present at the airport, with Hertz offering a Drive + service that allows customers to hire a car when booking their flight ticket at a preferential rate.
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Air Corsica
The airline provides various services to its customers, including free checked and hand baggage, seat selection, online check-in, and snacks onboard. Additionally, Air Corsica has partnerships with car and motorbike rental companies, offering unlimited mileage and no drop-off fees at airports in Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, Figari, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris-Orly, and Toulouse.
In terms of its fleet, Air Corsica operates ATR 72-500 and Airbus A320-200 aircraft. Notably, in December 2019, Air Corsica became the first French operator of the Airbus A320neo. The airline also has codeshare agreements with other carriers, including Air France and ITA Airways, allowing it to provide worldwide connections through its partnerships.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four commercial airports in Corsica: Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari.
The main airport in Corsica is Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA), formerly known as Campo dell'Oro Airport. It is located 5km east of Ajaccio, the island's largest settlement and capital city.
Air Corsica, the regional airline, has its head office at the airport and operates services to continental France, as well as London, Rome, and Venice. Other airlines include Air France, Volotea, easyJet, and Chalair.
Calvi Airport is the smallest of the four airports in Corsica. It is served by nine operators, including Air Corsica, Air France, easyJet, Luxair, Swiss, and Transavia.
Figari Airport is located in the far south of Corsica, a few miles outside the village of Figari. It is served by Air Corsica year-round, and other operators include Air France, British Airways, easyJet, Edelweiss, and Swiss. It is also the only Corsican airport served by Ryanair.
