Andorra Awards Chalair Four-Year Flight Contract from La Seu d'Urgell in 2027

The Andorran government has awarded French carrier Chalair a four-year contract, extendable by two years to 2030, for regular flights from La Seu d'Urgell Airport starting 1 January 2027. The agreement replaces Air Nostrum's current service, which ends 31 December 2026, and sets a minimum of 1,400 annual flying hours with public funding limited to €5 million yearly.

Chalair's proposal scored above 94%, surpassing the Andorra Connected bid from Jump Air and Carbini Travel. The airline will station an ATR 42-500 with 48 seats permanently at the Monferrer facility, supported by on-site crew and maintenance. A reserve ATR 72 for up to 72 passengers will be available within two hours during high-demand periods.

Routes will grow from two to six destinations. Paris-Orly launches with two weekly flights year-round from January. Madrid increases to three weekly from summer 2027, replacing Air Nostrum, while Palma de Mallorca offers three weekly in winter and two or three otherwise. Seasonal additions include two weekly Nantes flights in winter, two to Nice and one to Lyon in summer. A joint commission with the Transport Department will track demand and tweak schedules.

David Forné, Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility, said the permanent base represents a "fundamental change" that cuts technical issues and cancellations seen under Air Nostrum. He called it "a great day for Andorra and the Pyrenees," praising how it matches local demand and exceeds requirements for key links. Chalair plans up to 1,670 flying hours from year two, bolstered by an Air France tie-up for Flying Blue rewards and onward connections. Special business packages for Andorrans are also in the works.

French Ambassador Nicolas Eybalin welcomed the France-focused expansion as "necessary," noting it opens western France via Nantes and the tourist-friendly Côte d'Azur through Nice. He favoured Orly for its city-centre access over Charles de Gaulle's global links and foresaw potential daily Paris flights long-term. Robert Mauri, representative of the French co-prince, described the network as an "excellent" and "very important qualitative leap" for connectivity, positioning Paris as a gateway to Europe and beyond, with room for more business traffic if demand rises.

One-way introductory fares, covering taxes, 10kg cabin bag and seat choice, begin at €55 to Palma, €67 to Madrid and €79 to Paris. Nantes, Nice and Lyon bookings will appear on Chalair's site, hotline, agencies or search platforms. Fuel supply, de-icing gear and air traffic control upgrades will be ready by year-end.

Through 13 September, the five-year-old airport recorded 11,107 passengers—a 14% increase from 9,752 the prior year. Madrid averaged 55.8% load factor, Palma 50%, with February peaking at 78% and some flights full, and August at 55%.

Forné dismissed Lisbon or Porto links for now due to distance, fuel costs and contract limits, though future reviews remain possible. Air Nostrum, operating since December 2021, did not participate.