Volotea Expands Presence in Italy with New Bari Base Amid French Labor Law Challenges

Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea is set to strengthen its foothold in Italy with the opening of its eighth Italian base at Bari airport from July 2024. Operating seasonally, the base will host a single A320-200 and bring a significant capacity boost with the addition of eight new routes, including connections to Toulouse Blagnac, Dubrovnik, Comiso, Bilbao, and Malaga.

While Volotea plans to unveil three more destinations in the coming weeks, the move is part of the airline’s strategy to expand its Italian operations and enhance connectivity from Bari. The airline currently holds a marginal market share at Bari airport, with Malta Air being the only other scheduled carrier with a base.

In a separate development, Volotea faces legal challenges in France. The Bordeaux Court of Appeal found the airline guilty of violating labor laws by not notifying French authorities about seconding 18 pilots to the Bordeaux base between 2013-2018. By avoiding this declaration, Volotea circumvented mandatory social security contributions for the pilots in France.

The court imposed a fine of EUR 150,000 (USD 165,000) on Volotea and ordered an additional payment of EUR 416,926 (USD 458,000) in overdue fees to the Aviation Flight Personnel Retirement Fund. While Volotea contests the legal analysis and is exploring potential avenues of appeal, the court clarified that the past violation wouldn’t hinder the airline from participating in public tenders in France.

Volotea is currently vying for a significant Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract in Corsica against legacy operator Air Corsica, emphasizing that the historical breach does not indicate a repeat scenario. As the airline navigates legal challenges, its expansion plans in Italy underscore its commitment to strengthening regional connectivity in Europe. Travelers can anticipate increased options for affordable and accessible air travel with Volotea’s growing presence.