“This is expensive for passengers”: to open up its territory, Limousin is opening an “air bridge” between Limoges and Orly

“An air bridge” linking Limousin to Paris. The term, generally used in conflict zones, designates the air line which has just been set up between Limoges (Haute-Vienne) and the capital. As if the city was cut off from the rest of France…

Since February 19, the Spanish company Volotea has been operating two return flights, every day from Monday to Friday, and one return flight on Sunday, to Orly, as part of a Public Service Obligation (PSO). A solution to compensate for chronic rail failures until the work planned on the line is completed and new trainsets are delivered, normally at the end of March 2027.

Because Limoges, more than any other city in France, has experienced an unprecedented railway downgrade in a few decades. In the 1960s, it had the fastest train in France, the Capitole, connecting the capital in 2 hours 50 minutes. Today, travelers take 28 minutes longer than in 1971 to reach Paris and suffer from repeated delays.

Air fares aligned with train tickets

In order not to financially burden the Limougeauds, air fares have been aligned with those of the train: 49 euros one way for the traveler, the rest being covered by the communities. Total cost: 7.1 million euros over 14 months, financed by the Region, the urban community, the Department and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“In comparison, the regeneration of the POLT line represents 1.8 billion euros of public investment. For this air connection, the State only pays 530,000 euros. He is not up to the task,” accuses François Vincent, president of SMALB, the joint union managing the airport. “You should know that on a 49 euro ticket, less than 8 euros goes to Volotea. The rest are taxes. »

During the inaugural flight, on February 19, 17 people took seats in the Airbus A 319 which can transport 156. “It is expensive for the passenger. But it will gain momentum,” assures François Vincent, who recalls that 30 jobs were created with the arrival of Volotea.

A counter to environmental measures

Despite the economic arguments put forward, the environmental impact of the line has given rise to criticism, notably from Nicolas Picard, representative of the Climate Fresco in Limousin. According to his calculations, when a plane flies with around fifteen passengers for 150 seats, “each passenger emits 1.2 tonnes of CO2 for a round trip compared to 5 kilos by train”, or 240 times more. However, this public money could, according to him, “accelerate the transition of several hundred local businesses”.

The president of the SMALB, a pulmonologist by profession, brushes aside the criticism: “I know about fine particles. But honestly, what do you want to do? Watching planes pass overhead? »

In 2023, the SMALB refused to allow the airline Chalair to operate the Limoges-Paris route for 12 million euros over 4 years. With five passengers per flight on average, it was considered too expensive and difficult to justify. Three years later, given the obsolescence of the rail network and the daily hardship experienced by train users, the authorities welcomed Volotea with open arms. “We must do everything to open up this territory,” summarizes the president of the SMALB. And this, whatever the cost.