Air Corsica has grounded most of its ATR 72-600 fleet after repeated reports of unusual odours in the cockpit and cabin prompted a technical inspection. The Corsican carrier has taken five of its seven turboprops out of service, leaving only two aircraft in regular operation while it works with ATR to identify the source of the problem.
The inspection is expected to last several weeks, with the airline deploying chartered replacement aircraft to preserve its network. Even so, passengers face the risk of schedule changes and cancellations as the carrier manages the disruption. The affected aircraft are all relatively new, with an average age of less than four years, making the scale of the grounding unusual for a modern regional fleet.
The issue is particularly significant for Air Corsica because the airline depends heavily on ATR turboprops for short-haul services across Corsica and nearby routes. A prolonged grounding could disrupt island connectivity and create knock-on delays across the schedule, while the joint investigation with ATR continues.