Le Bourget Airport

Le Bourget Airport. Located in the commune of Le Bourget within the Seine-Saint-Denis department, it is a historic airfield that served as the primary commercial airport for Paris until the opening of Orly Airport in the post-war era. Today, it functions as a major hub for business aviation, hosts the prestigious Paris Air Show, and is home to the renowned Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace.

History

The airfield was established in 1919 by the French government to serve as a base for Breguet Aviation aircraft testing and to accommodate the burgeoning field of commercial air transport. It gained international fame in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, landing his aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, to a massive crowd. Throughout the 1930s, it was a central node for pioneering airlines like Air France and routes operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa, connecting Europe with global destinations. During the Second World War, it was occupied by the Luftwaffe and later liberated by Allied forces, including the French 2nd Armored Division. The post-war period saw it superseded by Orly Airport and later Charles de Gaulle Airport for commercial traffic, leading to its redevelopment as a business aviation center.

Facilities

The airport features three asphalt runways, the longest being 3,000 meters, capable of handling a wide range of aircraft from small jets to large cargo planes. Its main passenger terminal, the historic 1937 art deco building, now primarily serves the Paris Air Show and the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, which houses iconic aircraft like the Concorde and Super Constellation. The northern sector is dominated by modern fixed-base operators such as Dassault Aviation and facilities for ExecuJet and Tag Aviation, offering comprehensive services for private flights. Additional infrastructure includes large hangars operated by companies like Lufthansa Technik and extensive cargo areas used by logistics firms including FedEx Express and TNT Airways.

Operations

As the busiest business aviation airport in Europe, it handles thousands of annual movements from operators like NetJets and VistaJet, catering to clientele attending events such as the Paris Fashion Week and the French Open. It is a key maintenance and completion center for Dassault Aviation, specializing in the Falcon 7X and Falcon 8X aircraft. The airport also supports significant cargo operations, with dedicated terminals for express carriers and ad-hoc freight charters. Furthermore, it serves as a base for official government transport, including flights for the President of France and other dignitaries, managed by the French Air and Space Force.

Accidents and incidents

A notable early accident occurred in 1929 involving a Farman F.190 during a test flight. In 1930, the crash of the R101 airship shortly after departing for India resulted in significant loss of life and impacted British airship development. A major disaster took place in 1973 when a Charter International flight, a Convair CV-990 operating for Iberia Airlines, crashed during approach, leading to numerous fatalities. More recently, in 2000, a Concorde operating for Air France crashed shortly after takeoff from Charles de Gaulle Airport, an event investigated with support from experts based at the adjacent museum.

In popular culture

The airport is famously depicted in the 1957 film The Spirit of St. Louis, starring James Stewart, which recreated Lindbergh's historic landing. It serves as a key setting in the 1964 French crime film That Man from Rio, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo. The facility has been featured in several documentaries, including episodes of the series Mighty Planes focusing on the Paris Air Show. Its runways and iconic museum backdrop have also been used in music videos for international artists and in advertising campaigns for luxury brands like Dior and Rolex.