Brit Air

Brit Air, short for Brittany Air International, was a French regional airline based at Morlaix–Ploujean Airport in Brittany. Established in 1973, it developed as a specialist operator of short- and medium-haul regional services, connecting French cities and selected European destinations. Its network was closely associated with Air France, and the airline operated scheduled flights under an Air France franchise from major hubs including Lyon–Saint-Exupéry, Paris-Orly and Paris–Charles de Gaulle. The airline’s role was to provide regional feed into the wider Air France network. Rather than competing primarily as a large independent international carrier, Brit Air focused on operating smaller aircraft on routes where demand was insufficient for the larger aircraft commonly used by mainline airlines. Over time, its fleet included regional jet types, notably the Bombardier CRJ family, as well as other aircraft used during earlier phases of its development. Brit Air remained a distinct operating company while functioning within the Air France regional system. Its identity was therefore visible both as an airline based in Brittany and as an Air France franchise operator. The company served domestic French routes and intra-European sectors, with its operations shaped by the schedules, commercial arrangements and network requirements of Air France. A major reorganization began in 2013, when Air France introduced HOP! as a unified regional brand bringing together Brit Air, Régional and Airlinair. From 31 March 2013, Brit Air flights were operated under the HOP! name rather than the standalone Brit Air brand. The change was intended to create a clearer customer-facing regional identity while consolidating several Air France-affiliated operators. Brit Air continued as an operating entity during the transition, but its separate flight operations ultimately ended in March 2017 after the merger process with HOP! was completed. The airline is consequently a defunct brand and operating carrier, although its former routes, aircraft and personnel formed part of the regional operating structure that preceded the modern Air France regional organization. Brit Air is also remembered in aviation safety records for Air France Flight 5672, a Brit Air-operated CRJ100 that crashed near Brest in 2003, killing the captain.

Brit Air was established in 1973 as a French regional airline associated with Brittany and headquartered in Morlaix. Its base at Morlaix–Ploujean Airport reflected the company’s regional identity, while its commercial development increasingly depended on links with the Air France network. The airline’s principal function was to operate smaller-capacity aircraft on regional routes, providing connections between French cities and feeding passengers into larger Air France hubs. As its operations expanded, Brit Air became an Air France franchise carrier. It operated scheduled services from Lyon–Saint-Exupéry, Paris-Orly and Paris–Charles de Gaulle, serving domestic French destinations and selected European markets. The franchise model enabled Air France to offer a wider regional network without using mainline aircraft on every route, while Brit Air specialized in the operational requirements of short-haul regional flying. The airline operated several aircraft types during its history, including regional jets from the Bombardier CRJ family. These aircraft were suited to routes with moderate passenger demand and supported the airline’s role as a feeder and regional connector. Brit Air’s fleet and schedules changed over time as Air France adjusted its regional network and as the economics of operating smaller aircraft evolved. On 22 June 2003, Air France Flight 5672, operated by Brit Air with a CRJ100, crashed during an attempted landing at Brest Bretagne Airport. The aircraft came down approximately 2.3 miles from the runway at 23:55 local time and subsequently caught fire. The 21 passengers were evacuated, but the captain died. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Aviation investigators concluded that the most probable cause was pilot error connected with the incorrect execution of the instrument approach. A structural change to Air France’s regional operations began in 2013. Air France created HOP! as a single customer-facing regional brand combining Brit Air with Régional and Airlinair. From 31 March 2013, Brit Air flights were marketed and operated under the HOP! name. The rebranding reduced the prominence of the individual regional airline identities while retaining their operational role within the Air France system. The consolidation process continued for several years. After negotiations and integration work involving the three regional operators, Brit Air’s separate flight operations ended in March 2017 when the company was fully merged into HOP!. This marked the end of Brit Air as an independent operating airline, although its former aircraft, routes and organizational capabilities contributed to the regional platform that followed. The brand is therefore historically significant as one of the principal French regional carriers that operated Air France franchise services before the creation of a unified regional structure.

• 2017

  Separate operations end

  [1]Brit Airen.wikipedia.org

  Brit Air ceases separate flight operations after its merger with HOP! is completed.

• 2013

  Flights begin operating under the HOP! brand

  [1]Brit Airen.wikipedia.org

  From 31 March, Brit Air services are operated under HOP!, Air France’s unified regional brand.

• 2003

  Air France Flight 5672 accident

  [1]Brit Airen.wikipedia.org

  A Brit Air-operated CRJ100 crashed while approaching Brest Bretagne Airport; the captain died, while all 21 passengers were evacuated.

• 1973

  Brit Air is established

  [1]Brit Airen.wikipedia.org

  Brit Air, also known as Brittany Air International, is founded as a French regional airline based in Brittany.

Regional passenger airline and Air France franchise operator

• Passenger aviation · 1973

  Scheduled regional passenger services

  Brit Air’s core offering was scheduled short-haul passenger transport within France and on selected European routes. The airline used regional aircraft to serve markets that required regular connectivity but did not always justify larger mainline aircraft. Many services were coordinated with Air France’s wider timetable and network.

• Airline franchise

  Air France franchise operations

  Under its Air France franchise arrangement, Brit Air operated regional flights carrying the Air France commercial identity and connecting regional airports with Air France hubs. This model positioned the company as an operational partner within Air France’s network rather than solely as an independent point-to-point carrier.

• Aircraft-based service

  Bombardier CRJ regional jet services

  The Bombardier CRJ family formed an important part of Brit Air’s regional-jet operations. The type was appropriate for relatively thin domestic and European routes and supported the carrier’s role as a feeder airline. A CRJ100 was involved in the 2003 Air France Flight 5672 accident.

• 2017

  Merger into HOP!M&A

  Background

  Air France’s regional consolidation involved integrating Brit Air with Régional and Airlinair under the HOP! structure.

  Action taken

  Brit Air’s separate flight operations ended in March 2017 after the merger process was completed.

  Aftermath

  Brit Air ceased to operate as a separate airline, while its former operations became part of the consolidated Air France regional platform.

  Source

• 2013

  Adoption of the HOP! regional brandStrategy

  Background

  Air France sought to consolidate the customer-facing identity of several regional operators, including Brit Air, Régional and Airlinair.

  Action taken

  Beginning on 31 March 2013, Brit Air flights were operated under the HOP! name rather than the standalone Brit Air brand.

  Aftermath

  Brit Air remained part of the regional operating structure during the transition, but its individual brand identity was progressively replaced by HOP!.

  Source

1. 1Brit Airen.wikipedia.org