Lauded for its sun-drenched beaches each summer, the Mediterranean island of Corsica is now making an unprecedented move to become a year-round destination. The regional government has announced a multi-million euro investment to expand winter flight routes and promote off-season tourism. The plan aims to draw more visitors during the quiet winter months by leveraging Corsica’s milder climate, rich culture, and lower crowd levels as a lure for off-season travelers.

This bold strategy will see the Collectivité de Corse (the island’s local government) subsidizing flights in winter. Roughly €2.5 million per year will be spent over the next four years to guarantee 250,000 airline seats annually during the low season. By doing so, Corsica hopes to reduce the usual summer overcrowding while filling hotel rooms and attractions in the off-peak months.

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A Multi-Million Euro Bid to Boost Winter Travel

Unprecedented in Europe, Corsica’s initiative essentially pays airlines to bring in tourists during winter – a reverse approach to managing overtourism. The island’s assembly has earmarked €2.5 million each year to subsidize flights from November through March, in a four-year program spanning 2025 to 2029. Under this plan, the government will underwrite 250,000 passenger seats each winter season, ensuring airlines keep flying to Corsica even if planes would otherwise be half-empty.

Two carriers – budget airline Volotea and local operator Air Corsica – have been contracted to run these off-season routes. Volotea is operating nine winter routes from mainland France, connecting cities like Bordeaux, Nantes and Strasbourg with Corsican airports (Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari). Meanwhile, Air Corsica has been tapped to run new international winter flights – from Brussels Charleroi to both Ajaccio and Bastia, with a Rome–Ajaccio route set to launch in April 2026. In total, 12 routes (nine domestic and three international) are being supported in this first phase of the scheme.

Crucially for travelers, the subsidies make tickets far more affordable. One-way fares that would normally be pricey in winter – often inflated by limited service and taxes – are now available for as low as €38 on some routes. The Corsican government covers the gap between these ultra-low fares and the airlines’ operating costs, on the condition that the flights run regardless of passenger load. This guarantees regular flight options in mid-winter (a period that previously saw very few connections) and gives travelers unprecedented off-season deals. As one official noted, such rock-bottom prices “simply didn’t exist for winter travel to the Mediterranean” before now.

Corsica’s leadership sees the effort as an investment in the island’s future. The four-year program (roughly €10 million total) is projected to yield a strong return via tourism spending – some estimates predict the off-season influx could generate around €100 million in additional visitor revenue. If that holds true, the subsidy cost would be repaid many times over, while rejuvenating the winter economy. Gilles Simeoni, President of the Corsican Assembly, touts the plan as the “most ambitious project of its kind ever attempted in Europe”.

From Summer Crowds to Year-Round Appeal

For decades, Corsica’s tourism has been a story of peaks and valleys – enormous crowds in summer followed by near-empty winters. The island welcomes around 3 million tourists each year, but roughly 72% of those visits occur between May and September. In July and August, Corsica’s beaches, ports and towns are packed to capacity, straining infrastructure and driving up prices.

By mid-autumn, however, visitor numbers plummet. Many hotels, restaurants and tour operators shut their doors during the quiet season, leaving local businesses with little income for the rest of the year. Those that do stay open see lean times – prior to this new initiative, winter hotel occupancy on the island was only around 20%.

This new strategy aims to smooth out those extremes by enticing travelers during Corsica’s gentle winter months. Local officials hope to “kill two birds with one stone” – relieving the summer overcrowding while filling the emptiest winter periods. By boosting visitor numbers in January and February, the plan would keep hotels, restaurants and guides busy year-round instead of dormant for half the year. Essentially, Corsica is trying to transform from a short-season beach getaway into a destination that thrives even in the off-season.

It’s a novel approach at a time when many European hotspots are doing the opposite and trying to curb tourist numbers. While cities like Venice install turnstiles and Santorini caps daily cruise arrivals, Corsica is taking the reverse tack – actively courting more visitors in winter rather than in peak summer. If it succeeds, it could offer a new model for managing overtourism by spreading demand across the calendar, rather than simply limiting it.

Early Results and Expansion Plans

In its first few months, Corsica’s winter tourism gamble is already showing promising signs. The very first subsidized flights took off on November 1, 2025, and initial numbers are encouraging. For example, planes on the new Bordeaux–Figari route have been over 85% full during what used to be a dead season. Hotels in Porto-Vecchio have recorded their best January bookings in twenty years thanks to the influx of off-season guests. These early indicators suggest there was pent-up demand to experience Corsica without the summer crowds – validating the idea that people will come if the access (and price) is right.

Buoyed by the early response, Corsican authorities are already considering an expansion of the program. A second phase is envisioned to add winter flights from more major cities such as London, Munich, Frankfurt, Geneva, and Milan. Opening routes from across northern Europe would further boost Corsica’s year-round accessibility, allowing more travelers to swap cold winters for the island’s milder climate and stunning scenery.

However, the scheme has also drawn some scrutiny. Because it involves state subsidies to airlines, regulators in the EU are examining whether it distorts competition. Similar (though smaller) regional subsidy programs in places like Sardinia and Scotland have faced legal questions in the past. Corsican officials insist their approach is innovative and justified – and for now, the flights and funding are moving ahead unabated.

Off-Season Charm: Mild Weather, Culture, and Fewer Crowds

Corsica in winter offers a very different experience from the bustling summer high season. The coastal climate remains relatively mild – average daytime temperatures hover around 10–15 °C even in mid-winter – and many days are crisp and sunny. Snow does fall on the island’s high peaks – Corsica even has a few small ski areas when conditions allow – creating postcard scenes of white-capped mountains above palm-fringed shores.

What truly shines in the off-season is the relaxed pace and authentic local culture. With the crowds gone, travelers often find they have historic towns, hilltop villages, and even beaches almost to themselves. It’s easy to stroll through Ajaccio or Bonifacio alongside locals, enjoy uncrowded hiking trails, and visit ancient sites without the usual tourist throngs. Winter is also when Corsica’s traditions come to the forefront – from cozy mountain inns serving hearty brocciu cheese and chestnut stew, to festive Christmas markets in Ajaccio and Bastia. Experiencing the island at this time offers a glimpse of Corsican life that most summer visitors never see.

Practical advantages abound as well. Prices for hotels, transport and tours drop significantly in winter, making Corsica far more affordable than in the peak season. Roads and attractions that are jammed in summer are quiet, meaning no traffic jams or long lines. While some tourist-oriented businesses do reduce hours or close in the winter months , the major towns remain lively and welcoming – and now, with the new flight connections, getting to the island is easier in January than ever before.

Why Corsica’s Winter Bet Matters for Travelers

For travelers planning their 2025–26 holidays, Corsica’s push into winter tourism could be a game-changer. It effectively puts a “new” Mediterranean escape on the winter map – one that offers mild weather, dramatic scenery and French-island charm, but without the usual crowds or high costs. Instead of jostling for space in August, visitors can savor an authentic, crowd-free winter getaway on Corsica. They’ll enjoy everything from coastal hikes to cultural festivals at a relaxed, local pace.

Importantly, Corsica is now much more accessible in winter than before. Off-season travel to the island used to be logistically difficult, with very limited flights and ferries, but the new subsidized routes have changed that. There are direct flights available from multiple cities throughout winter, opening up the option of a weekend break in Corsica even in January or February. And with one-way fares sometimes under €50 , a winter trip to l’Île de Beauté can be much easier on the wallet than a high-season visit.

As the coming months unfold, all eyes are on Corsica to see if this bold experiment pays off. If it does, it will not only revitalize the island’s off-season economy but also reward travelers with a delightful new winter destination. After all, a €38 flight in February to a quiet Mediterranean paradise is an offer that’s hard to refuse.

FAQ

Q1. What is Corsica’s winter tourism initiative?
A four-year, ten million euro program that subsidizes winter flights to guarantee about 250,000 seats each season and attract more off-season visitors.

Q2. How low are the new winter fares?
Some routes now offer one-way tickets from about 38 euros, made possible through government subsidies.

Q3. Which airlines are operating the subsidized winter flights?
Volotea operates domestic French routes, and Air Corsica operates international flights from Brussels and Rome.

Q4. When does the winter subsidy program run?
From November through March each year, from 2025 to 2029.

Q5. Why is Corsica investing in winter tourism?
To ease heavy summer overcrowding and support local businesses during quieter winter months.

Q6. What early results have been reported?
Strong load factors, with some routes more than 85 percent full, and record January bookings in towns such as Porto Vecchio.

Q7. Which new routes are planned for phase two?
Possible additions include London, Munich, Frankfurt, Geneva, and Milan, which would broaden access from northern Europe.

Q8. Is the subsidy legal under EU rules?
EU regulators are reviewing the program for competition concerns, but all flights are continuing as scheduled.

Q9. What is Corsica like in winter?
Coastal areas are mild with temperatures around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Towns are quiet, prices are lower, beaches are empty, and the inland mountains often have snow.

Q10. Why should travelers consider Corsica in winter?
New direct flights make travel easy, fares are low, crowds are minimal, and visitors can enjoy cultural authenticity and Mediterranean scenery without summer congestion.