French bee bets on Maldives and Sri Lanka to revive winter growth

French long-haul low-cost carrier French bee is making a bold move this winter with a new triangular route from Paris-Orly to the Maldives and Sri Lanka—its first such service since its inception. Starting December 19, 2026, the airline will operate two weekly round trips until May 2, 2027, connecting the French capital to Indian Ocean paradises before continuing to the spice island. A daring strategy to capture winter demand and diversify a network still overly reliant on transatlantic routes.

This launch aligns with a geographic rebalancing effort for a carrier that reported a net loss of €7 million in 2025. French bee is banking on two complementary destinations: the Maldives, a crown jewel of beach tourism with postcard-worthy atolls and luxury resorts, and Sri Lanka, which appeals to travelers seeking culture, nature, and wellness. A combination expected to attract a diverse clientele, from families and solo travelers to honeymooners.

The route, operated with an Airbus A350-900, will initially offer two weekly flights until January 10, with frequency increasing seasonally. Tickets are already on sale with competitively priced fares. Travelers can enjoy direct service from Paris-Orly, avoiding costly and time-consuming layovers via Gulf hubs.

Marc-Antoine Blondeau, CEO of French bee, justifies this shift by highlighting the opportunity to tap into an underserved market for direct flights from France. « This triangular route caters to two distinct but equally promising traveler profiles: Maldives beach tourism and the rise of cultural and wellness tourism in Sri Lanka, » he explains. The airline emphasizes the ability to combine both destinations in a single trip, a formula likely to appeal to travelers looking to maximize their stay in the region.

A heavy reliance on the U.S.

French bee has long focused on transatlantic routes, with services to New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Montreal. However, demand for U.S. destinations proved less dynamic than expected in 2025, partly due to less favorable political and economic conditions. « The Trump effect is weighing on bookings to the U.S., where it’s mostly Americans traveling to Europe, » confides an industry executive. Facing this uncertainty, the airline has decided to reallocate part of its fleet to destinations with stable demand and less direct competition.

The Indian Ocean represents a strategic alternative. The Maldives, in particular, has seen steady growth in European tourist numbers, while Sri Lanka is leveraging its tourism diversification after years of political tensions. The airline is counting on these strengths to stabilize its financial results after a 2025 fiscal year marked by a deficit despite a 4% revenue increase. Fuel, which accounts for 25 to 30% of costs, remains a major challenge, but the new route should help optimize fleet utilization.

With this service, French bee joins the ranks of long-haul low-cost carriers betting on exotic destinations to stand out. Players like French Blue and Level have already explored this path, but the Dubreuil Group’s carrier is now positioning itself as a key player in the Indian Ocean. The Paris-Orly – Malé – Colombo triangular route also opens opportunities for travelers from the French provinces, thanks to optimized train connections.

A low-cost offering with premium services

Unlike other long-haul low-cost carriers, French bee offers a premium economy class in addition to standard economy. An option that could appeal to travelers seeking lighter travel with added comfort. The airline highlights the ability to book flight + hotel packages via its subsidiary French bee holidays, simplifying trip planning for customers.

Fares for the new route remain aggressive, with promotional prices starting at €399 one-way in economy class and early-bird discounts. The airline also emphasizes the quality of its in-flight service, including à la carte dining and entertainment options to enhance the travel experience.

For adventure-seeking travelers, this route offers a unique opportunity to explore two of the Indian Ocean’s most stunning destinations without multiple layovers. The Maldives, with its turquoise lagoons and overwater bungalows, is a top honeymoon and romantic getaway destination. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, charms visitors with its beaches, historic sites like the sacred city of Kandy or the ruins of Polonnaruwa, and national parks where elephants and leopards can be spotted.

A bet on seasonality and diversification

Winter is a key period for tourism to the Indian Ocean, with mild temperatures and festive season travel opportunities. French bee has structured its program to adapt to this seasonality, with frequency evolving based on demand. The initial two weekly round trips will transition to direct flights between Paris and Colombo starting March 2027, a strategy aimed at retaining a growing customer base.

The airline is also banking on the synergy between the two destinations. Travelers can seamlessly combine a beach stay in the Maldives with a cultural tour in Sri Lanka—a formula meeting the expectations of an increasingly experience-driven clientele. French bee hopes this combination will maximize aircraft load factors and strengthen profitability.

This new route is part of a broader diversification strategy for the carrier. After developing services to Réunion, French bee now aims to cover the entire Indian Ocean, a region where tourism demand remains robust despite economic fluctuations. The airline does not rule out eventually expanding its network to other destinations like Mauritius or the Seychelles, if demand materializes.

For French travelers, this launch represents an opportunity to reach the Indian Ocean without long layovers. With direct flights from Paris-Orly and accessible fares, French bee is positioning itself as a credible alternative to traditional major carriers. A strategy that could well reinvigorate Europe’s long-haul low-cost sector.

Key takeaways on French bee’s new route

The carrier French bee is launching a triangular route from Paris-Orly to the Maldives and Sri Lanka starting December 19, 2026. Operated with an Airbus A350-900, the service will initially offer two weekly round trips until May 2, 2027, with frequency increasing seasonally. Tickets are available now, with fares starting at €399 one-way in economy class. The airline is leveraging the complementary appeal of both destinations to attract diverse travelers and optimize aircraft load factors. A diversification strategy to reduce reliance on transatlantic routes and capitalize on winter demand to the Indian Ocean.