The IATA winter season 2026-27 takes effect on 25 October 2026, triggering the twice-yearly schedule changeover that reshapes airline routes across the Mediterranean. For Tunisia travellers, the transition marks the end of the peak summer charter season and the beginning of a quieter winter period that suits independent travellers, cultural tourism, and winter sun seekers.
Here is what changes and what continues across Tunisia’s three main international airports.
Tunis-Carthage: The Year-Round Core
Tunis-Carthage International Airport maintains the densest winter programme of any Tunisian airport. Tunisair, the national carrier, operates year-round connections from London Heathrow, Paris Orly and Charles de Gaulle, Brussels, Lyon, Frankfurt, and Rome. These routes continue through the winter with reduced frequencies compared to July and August, but remain accessible to independent travellers booking direct flights.
Low-cost and value carriers including easyJet and Transavia maintain their Tunis routes into winter, though some services shift to less frequent schedules. The addition of Hamburg by Nouvelair, which launched in October 2026, operates as part of the winter network, giving northern Germany a direct link to the capital for the colder months.
For passengers connecting on to southern Tunisia, Monastir, or Djerba from Tunis, Tunisair Express operates domestic routes and Tunis-Carthage remains the most practical first entry point.
Practical arrival information, including taxi, private transfer, and rail options from the airport, is covered in our airport transfer guide.
Djerba-Zarzis: Reduced but Active
Djerba-Zarzis Airport is Tunisia’s second busiest for international traffic in summer, but winter schedules are considerably lighter. The all-inclusive beach resorts that fill the island from May to September see occupancy fall sharply after mid-October, and a number of properties operate reduced services or close for refurbishment through December and January.
That said, Djerba in winter has its own appeal: the island’s medina, the El Ghriba synagogue, and the cultural villages of the interior are best explored without summer crowds. Direct flights from France continue through the winter, alongside some UK departures, and Tunisair operates domestic connections from Tunis allowing easy two-centre itineraries.
Our Djerba destination guide covers year-round travel options and what is open through the winter period.
Monastir Habib Bourguiba: Charter-Heavy, Limited Winter Service
Monastir is Tunisia’s most charter-dependent airport. The bulk of its summer traffic comes from British, German, and Italian tour operators who scale back substantially from November. Independent travellers planning winter visits to Sousse or Monastir are generally better served by flying into Tunis-Carthage and travelling south by train or shared taxi (louage).
For details on ground transport between Tunis and the Sahel coast, see our getting around Tunisia guide.
What the Schedule Switch Means for Bookings
The IATA winter schedule runs until late March 2027, when summer 2027 services begin. For travellers planning trips between November and March, this is the pricing window that matters. Flights in late October and November often represent the lowest prices of the year on scheduled routes, as leisure demand drops sharply while capacity holds steady for a few weeks before frequencies are cut.
Winter visitors to Tunisia also benefit from significantly lower hotel rates across the coast, shorter queues at major sites, and daytime temperatures that remain comfortable for sightseeing. Coastal temperatures in Hammamet and Djerba average 18-22°C through November and December.
For an overview of when to visit and what each month offers, see our best time to visit Tunisia guide. Full route details and carrier information are in our flights to Tunisia guide, which is updated as schedule changes are confirmed.