GB AIRWAYS launches its first service to France on March 9 with daily Gatwick flights to Nantes.
The start of services by the British Airways franchise carrier also gives BA its first connection to the French city.
Flights depart Gatwick each afternoon on two-class Boeing 737 aircraft, with lead-in fares at £129 return.
GBAirways commercial director Peter Kenworthy said: “We aim to develop both the business and leisure markets, including city breaks from the UK to Nantes.”
Kenworthy added that Nantes’ proximity to the western France tourism areas of the Loire region, Brittany and the Vendee would boost loads on the aircraft.
GBAirways will compete for passengers with Air France, which already offers two flights a day on the Gatwick-Nantes route using its BritAir franchise carrier.
From May, GB Airways is to start replacing its B737 fleet with more efficient Airbus A320s.
Larger A321s start to arrive in spring 2001.