The Spanish airline officially announced the launch of the route on Monday, but the first flight took off several hours late.
Volotea, a low-cost airline based in Spain, had just opened its new base in Rodez, Aveyron. But the first flight to Paris on Monday ended up being delayed by six hours, four times the length of the flight itself (1 hour 25 minutes).
Volotea’s A319 was due to take off from Rodez at 6:25 a.m. but a technical incident, coupled with thick fog, forced the aircraft to delay its takeoff until 12:20 p.m. No details have been given on the technical incident.
Volotea remains confident
This failed launch has not dampened Volotea’s enthusiasm: Gilles Gosselin, the company’s head of France, expressed his satisfaction to Centre Presse Aveyron about the inauguration of this tenth line in France, linked to Paris-Orly. It includes two daily flights from Monday to Friday and one flight on Sunday.
“We are confident about the occupancy rate,” commented Gilles Gosselin. “We are counting on a rate of 90%, with a starting price of 49 euros. And we intend to be able to promote Rodez airport well beyond that. Whether for businesses, tourists or families.”
With a target of delivering a total of 178,000 seats for 1,140 flights by 2025, Volotea is also targeting new destinations. “We will be able to unveil new destinations within two months, knowing that our core destinations remain the Mediterranean basin,” concluded Gilles Gosselin.
