Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport

Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport
Name	Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport
Nativename	Aéroport de Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon
Iata	EBU
Icao	LFHB
Type	Public
Operator	Aéroport de la Loire
City-served	Saint-Étienne
Location	Andrézieux-Bouthéon, Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Elevation-f	1,071
Runway1 number	01/19
Runway1 length-m	2,000
Runway1 surface	Asphalt
Runway2 number	01/19 (grass)
Runway2 length-m	800
Footnotes	Sources: Aéroport de la Loire

Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon Airport is a regional civil aerodrome serving Saint-Étienne, located at Andrézieux-Bouthéon in the Loire (department) of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. The airport functions as a local hub for scheduled and general aviation, providing connections to European destinations, supporting Air France, Ryanair, and private operators, and contributing to regional transport links alongside Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport, and Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport.

Overview

The airport sits within the catchment area of Saint-Étienne Métropole and the historical province of Forez, and it is managed by the public company Aéroport de la Loire under regional oversight from the Conseil régional Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and coordination with the Direction générale de l'aviation civile. Facilities include a paved runway, a parallel grass strip, a terminal building for passenger processing, and hangars used by flight schools such as Aéroclub Saint-Étienne and maintenance organisations linked to General aviation operators and corporate aviation users from industrial groups in Loire (department) and the broader Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

History

The aerodrome was established in the interwar period and expanded during the post-war years to accommodate increasing civil traffic associated with industrial growth in Saint-Étienne and nearby towns such as Roanne and Montbrison. During the late 20th century the site underwent upgrades influenced by European air transport liberalisation and regional development policies of the European Union and the French Ministry of Transport. In the 2000s, investments paralleled initiatives by neighbouring transport projects like TGV high-speed rail extensions and infrastructure funding from the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires. The airport has hosted events linked to aviation heritage organisations including Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace exhibitions and local airshows featuring Dassault Aviation types and historic Spitfire displays.

Facilities and infrastructure

Runway and navigational aids: the primary asphalt runway 01/19 is equipped for day and night operations with lighting systems conforming to standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the field supports instrument approaches compatible with regional turboprop and business jet operations by manufacturers such as ATR, Bombardier Aerospace, and Embraer. Terminal and services: the passenger terminal provides check-in, security screening consistent with Schengen Area requirements, basic passenger amenities, and car parking; cargo handling facilities accommodate light freight supporting companies from industrial sectors like the former ArcelorMittal steelworks and local manufacturing clusters. Maintenance and training: on-site maintenance organisations perform line maintenance for regional carriers and flight training activities associated with aviation schools operating under the supervision of the Direction générale de l'aviation civile.

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled services have varied with market demand and airline strategy; carriers that have operated routes include Ryanair, Air France Hop, and several other European regional operators connecting to hubs such as Paris-Orly, London Stansted, Barcelona–El Prat Airport, and seasonal leisure destinations in the Mediterranean Sea region. Charter operations and business aviation provide connections to corporate centres like Paris, Lyon, Geneva, and Marseille while general aviation supports private flights to destinations across Europe.

Ground transportation and access

Ground links include departmental roads connecting the site to Saint-Étienne city centre, the A72 and A47 autoroutes providing high-capacity road access to Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand, and regional bus services integrated with the Saint-Étienne tramway and intercity coach networks serving passengers bound for Roanne and Saint-Chamond. Parking and car rental services are available onsite, and taxi services and ride-hailing options connect to nearby Saint-Étienne–Châteaucreux station for rail links including TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes services and indirect connections to TGV lines.

Statistics and traffic

Passenger numbers and aircraft movements have reflected regional economic cycles, airline network decisions, and seasonal tourism flows; historical peaks coincided with expanded low-cost carrier schedules while declines followed route cancellations and broader shifts in European regional aviation. Freight tonnage remains modest, focused on time-sensitive shipments for regional industry, and general aviation accounts for a significant share of movements, including flight training sorties and business jet operations.

Accidents and incidents

Operational safety follows French civil aviation regulations, and recorded incidents at the aerodrome have included a small number of non-fatal runway excursions and single-aircraft accidents during general aviation training flights investigated by authorities such as the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile with findings used to improve local procedures and training standards. Civil Aviation Authority oversight and local emergency services collaborate in contingency planning with regional actors including Préfecture de la Loire and municipal authorities.

Category:Airports in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Category:Buildings and structures in Loire (department) Category:Transport in Saint-Étienne