Low-cost carrier Ryanair is set to expand its French-UK flight network with the introduction of a new route between Clermont-Ferrand and London Gatwick this March. The seasonal service will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from late March through October. Passengers can expect a flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
A First for Clermont-Ferrand
The Clermont-Ferrand–London Gatwick route marks the first UK service offered by Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport. Ryanair already operates flights from the airport to Morocco and Portugal, and this summer, it plans to launch a new route to Algeria. These additions will bring the airport’s total destinations to six, with Ryanair accounting for three of them.
Uncertainty Over Ryanair’s Regional Commitments
The announcement raises questions about Ryanair’s commitment to France’s regional airports, given its recent threats to withdraw from smaller hubs in response to proposed airline ticket taxes.
The airline’s warning followed a plan by former French prime minister Michel Barnier to increase taxes on airline ticket sales. While Ryanair did not specify which airports it might abandon, it cited higher taxes as a key factor influencing its focus on countries without such levies.
However, the proposed tax hikes were significantly reduced in a revised version passed by the Senate, with exemptions for struggling routes and airports. The entire budget was later scrapped after Michel Barnier’s departure in December.
The Future of Airline Taxes in France
New prime minister François Bayrou has yet to outline a 2025 budget, leaving the future of airline taxes uncertain. This week, Amélie de Montchalin, France’s minister for public accounts, expressed personal support for reintroducing the taxes, calling them a matter of “fiscal and ecological justice.”
Should these taxes be reinstated, Ryanair may follow through on its earlier threat to pull out of regional airports, many of which serve only a limited number of destinations, like Clermont-Ferrand.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has already scaled back its presence in France by canceling plans for services at Paris Orly airport, where flights to Italy and Slovakia were initially slated to begin in 2025.
A Balancing Act
As Ryanair continues to navigate the challenges of operating in the French market, its new route to London Gatwick highlights the airline’s interest in maintaining a foothold in France’s regional hubs. Whether these expansions will continue may hinge on forthcoming government decisions and the long-term viability of smaller regional airports.
For now, travelers in Clermont-Ferrand can look forward to a new connection to the UK this spring, offering increased travel options and convenience.
