Eybalin welcomes new flights to France: “This can only strengthen our relations”
The French ambassador sees the new connections as an expression of Andorra’s desire to maintain balanced relations with France and Spain
France’s ambassador to Andorra, Nicolas Eybalin, believes the new air connections could make the Principality an attractive destination for French weekend visitors, particularly those from Paris.
Speaking to La Veu Lliure, the diplomat warmly welcomed the announcement and highlighted the opportunities the flights offer to strengthen relations between the two countries.
“Andorra could become a popular weekend destination for French travellers, especially Parisians, just as Barcelona, Berlin and Prague are today”, Eybalin said.
His comments follow the award of the operating contract for routes from Andorra–La Seu Airport to Chalair. The airline’s proposal includes two weekly flights to Paris, with fares starting at €79, alongside the gradual introduction of seasonal routes to Nantes, Nice and Lyon.
Maintaining balanced relations with France and Spain
For Eybalin, the significance of the new routes extends beyond tourism. The ambassador sees the opening of connections with France as consistent with Andorra’s desire to maintain balanced relations with its two neighbouring countries.
“This can only strengthen our relations”, he said. In his view, it also reflects “the Principality of Andorra’s desire for balance in its relations with its two neighbours”.
The French routes will complement existing connections to Madrid and Palma, expanding travel options through Andorra–La Seu Airport.
New visitors rather than a sharp rise in tourist numbers
Despite his positive assessment, the diplomat remains cautious about the routes’ potential impact on overall visitor numbers. Eybalin does not expect a substantial increase in tourism, but rather an opportunity to attract a different visitor profile.
To put this into perspective, he estimated that flights to Madrid and Palma had carried just over 50,000 passengers in five years, comparing that figure with the approximately ten million visitors Andorra receives annually.
The opportunity, he believes, lies in attracting French travellers who may not previously have considered a short break in the Principality.
“It could bring a new category of French tourists, especially Parisians, who would like to spend a long weekend in Andorra,” he explained.
A gateway to the French-speaking world
Eybalin also highlighted the potential for the new connections to strengthen Andorra’s ties with the French-speaking world. In this context, he pointed to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport’s role as a major hub for connections to Africa.
However, the Paris airport for the route has not yet been finalised. The Andorran government’s initial plan is to operate flights to Orly, while Charles de Gaulle remains an alternative because of its international connections.
From this perspective, the ambassador sees the routes’ main potential in introducing Andorra to new audiences and making short breaks easier, rather than immediately transforming the country’s overall visitor numbers.