- October 2, 2026
- Posted by: andorrasolutions
- Categories: News Andorra, Noticias Andorra
The Government of Andorra has awarded the contract for the new flight schedule at Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell Airport to the French regional airline Chalair Aviation. The airline will operate the existing services to Madrid and Palma, and will add Paris-Orly as a regular, year-round route. Nice, Lyon and Nantes will soon be added as seasonal destinations.
The main new development is that, for the first time, there will be an aircraft permanently based at the airport. According to the Government of Andorra, this will enhance the reliability of the service and enable the network of destinations to be expanded gradually. The Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility, David Forné, has described the award of the contract as a turning point for the country’s connectivity.
The new service will commence in January 2027 with two weekly flights throughout the year to Madrid, Palma and Paris-Orly. Nice and Lyon will be added in the summer season of 2027, and Nantes will come into operation from the 2027–2028 winter season. The Madrid and Palma routes will gradually increase their frequency to three flights a week. In total, the network will be able to serve six international destinations. The programme also provides for the use of higher-capacity aircraft during periods of peak demand, as well as mechanisms to ensure service continuity in the event of any operational incidents.
The planned introductory fares are 55 euros one way to Palma, 67 euros to Madrid and 79 euros to Paris-Orly, with hand luggage of up to 10 kilograms included.
Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell Airport enters this new phase on a positive note. Since the launch of its first commercial route in 2021, it has carried over 52,000 passengers. Up to 13 September 2026, passenger numbers have risen by 14 per cent compared with the same period last year. The current average load factor is 55.8 per cent on the Madrid route and 50 per cent on the Palma route, with periods when it has been significantly higher.
From a financial perspective, the Government of Andorra has set aside a maximum annual contribution of 5 million euros to ensure the country’s air connectivity. This contribution will be gradually reduced as flight load factors increase, meaning that the commercial success of the routes will result in a reduced financial burden on the Andorran authorities.
The infrastructure is owned by the Government of Catalonia and operates under a co-management model. The Government of Andorra is responsible for the management and promotion of the air routes, whilst the Government of Catalonia, through Aeroports de Catalunya, operates the airport. Both administrations are working together to improve fuel supply systems, air traffic control services and de-icing equipment, in order to increase operational reliability and facilitate the roll-out of new connections.
Chalair Aviation is a French regional airline with forty years’ experience, a fleet of ten aircraft and a long track record in scheduled services.
For those living or working in Andorra, this development means more frequent flights, a direct year-round connection to Paris, and seasonal tourist and business destinations. The Government of Andorra particularly highlights the strengthening of tourism, economic and business links with France. It also benefits residents of Alt Urgell and neighbouring Catalan regions, who will have a nearby airport offering flights to Madrid, Palma and several French cities.