La Compagnie strengthens its Nice-New York line

This summer, Nice airport is flying the American flag with the opening of a daily flight to Atlanta by Delta Air Lines in addition to its daily flight to New York in competition with that of United Airlines and those of the French airline La Company and its 100% Business offer.

For Christian Vernet, CEO of La Compagnie, 2022 will have been a year to consolidate the sustainability of its Nice New York line. “ We transported 5,000 passengers with an average load factor of 76%, up from summer 2021he confirms. The American clientele represents the majority of our passengers on this line apart from major professional events as summer approaches, such as the Cannes Series festival, the Film Festival or the Cannes Lions trade show.

“Demonstrations that attract a strong contingent of professionals. Thus, Air France has announced that it will set up three direct Nice-Los Angeles flights during the next Film Festival and two Nice New York flights during the Cannes Lions lounge.

“Our ambition is to increase the Côte d’Azur clientele on our flights. We are already having some success with the Monegasque clientele that we intend to renew in the direction of business clients in the area from Marseille to Menton. »

This winter, La Compagnie tested the pre-routing agreement signed with Easyjet between Nice and Orly to guarantee a connection with La Compagnie’s Orly New York flight.

« This allows entrepreneurs on the Côte d’Azur to use our offer to New York via a quick and simple connection at Orly. «

In 2024, the Company hopes to sign a similar agreement with an American company to offer its passengers disembarking in New York continuity to cities in the United States.

For 2023, La Compagnie has set itself a target of more than 6,500 passengers on its Nice New York line.

The opening by Delta Air Lines of a Nice Atlanta line does not worry Christian Vernet unduly.

« While Atlanta is a major American hub for connections throughout the United States, New York remains our main pool of business customers and premium targets. »

There is no doubt that this increased offer to the American destination will have repercussions on direct traffic between Nice and North America, which had reached 180,000 passengers, i.e. more than the traffic reached in 2019, the last normal year (150,000 passengers).

Michel Bovas