L’Odyssey Cancels Most New Nîmes Routes
L’Odyssey, the Geneva-based virtual carrier owned by Jet Airlines (France), has abruptly cancelled plans to launch six of the seven new routes scheduled from Nîmes Garons this summer. The decision, announced recently, comes in response to the introduction of a new aviation ticket solidarity tax (Taxe de solidarité sur les billets d’aviation – TSBA), which the airline says has significantly impacted its profit margins and rendered the planned services financially unsustainable. Originally, L’Odyssey had unveiled an ambitious schedule that included flights to Geneva, Barcelona El Prat, Bastia, Ajaccio, Nice, Verona, and Milan, promising to expand its network and offer more travel options to passengers. However, due to the increased cost burden imposed by the TSBA, the carrier has now confirmed that only the route to Ajaccio will proceed, with the first flight set to depart on May 31.
The airline’s strategic shift marks a notable retrenchment from its earlier expansion plans, a decision that is likely to resonate strongly within the competitive European aviation market. According to the airline’s booking system, the remaining Ajaccio route will be operated by aircraft from FROST, a Danish carrier currently managing a fleet of four Saab 2000s. This change comes as a surprise to many industry observers, as Jet Airlines had initially planned to charter an ATR72-600 for the new routes departing from Nîmes. The decision to utilize FROST’s Saab 2000s not only highlights the evolving operational strategies within the airline industry but also underscores the challenges carriers face when external regulatory measures, such as the TSBA, affect cost structures and route viability.
Jet Airlines’ founder and chief executive, Clement Pellistrandi, addressed the issue, explaining that the newly introduced TSBA has jeopardized the financial sustainability of the planned flights. Speaking to France Bleu, Pellistrandi noted that the additional costs imposed by the tax have led to a critical reassessment of the carrier’s expansion strategy from Nîmes. The decision to cancel most of the new routes underscores a growing trend among airlines to weigh environmental and economic considerations more heavily when planning short-haul services. The TSBA, first implemented in March 2025, was designed to promote solidarity within the aviation sector but has inadvertently impacted carriers that are looking to expand into new markets.
The cancellation has also sparked criticism from environmental groups and local communities, who had expressed concerns about the environmental impact of additional short-haul flights, especially when rail alternatives could provide a greener option for regional travel. Critics argue that the planned increase in air traffic from Nîmes could have led to unnecessary carbon emissions, a point that has gained traction in discussions about sustainable travel across Europe. By reducing the number of new routes, L’Odyssey not only adjusts its business model to current economic realities but also indirectly addresses some of these environmental concerns.
The unfolding scenario highlights the complex interplay between regulatory changes, market demands, and environmental considerations in today’s aviation industry. As L’Odyssey refocuses its strategy by maintaining only the Ajaccio service, other carriers in the region may also reassess their expansion plans. The developments from Nîmes Garons serve as a reminder that external factors, such as new taxes and evolving market dynamics, can rapidly alter the strategic landscape for airlines aiming to innovate and grow their route networks.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com