Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is a major international airport located in the city of Lyon, France, and is named after the famous French author and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who wrote Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars. The airport serves as a hub for several airlines, including Air France, HOP!, and Twin Jet, and offers flights to numerous destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is also an important cargo hub, with companies like DHL Aviation and FedEx Express operating from the airport. The airport is located near the A43 highway and the A46 highway, making it easily accessible by car from nearby cities like Grenoble and Saint-Étienne.

● Overview

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is one of the busiest airports in France, after Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport, and is a key transportation hub for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The airport is equipped with modern facilities, including a CAT III instrument landing system, and is certified to handle wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777. The airport is also home to several maintenance facilities, including those operated by Air France Industries and Sabena Technics, which provide services to airlines like KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa. Additionally, the airport has a strong focus on sustainability, with initiatives like the use of renewable energy and the implementation of waste reduction programs, similar to those found at Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Copenhagen Airport.

● History

The history of Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport dates back to the 1970s, when the French government decided to build a new airport to replace the old Lyon-Bron Airport, which was located near the city center and had become too small to handle the growing air traffic. The new airport was designed by the French architect Guillaume Gillet, and was inaugurated in 1975 by the French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and modernizations, including the addition of a new terminal building in 1994, designed by the French architect Santiago Calatrava, and the construction of a new control tower in 2011. The airport has also been the site of several notable events, including the 1986 European Athletics Championships and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which was held in France and featured teams from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Germany.

● Facilities

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport has a range of facilities to cater to the needs of passengers, including several restaurants and bars, like Paul Bocuse and Café Ritazza, as well as shops and duty-free stores, like Hermès and L'Oréal. The airport also has several lounges, including those operated by Air France and Emirates, which offer amenities like free Wi-Fi and showers. Additionally, the airport has a hotel, the NH Lyon Airport, which is located near the terminal building and offers rooms with views of the Alps. The airport is also equipped with modern security facilities, including biometric identification systems and explosive detection systems, similar to those found at Heathrow Airport and Frankfurt Airport.

● Airlines and Destinations

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is served by a range of airlines, including Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Lufthansa, which offer flights to destinations like Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. The airport is also a hub for several low-cost carriers, including EasyJet and Ryanair, which offer flights to destinations like London, Barcelona, and Rome. Additionally, the airport is served by several long-haul carriers, including Emirates and Turkish Airlines, which offer flights to destinations like Dubai and Istanbul. The airport is also an important cargo hub, with companies like DHL Aviation and FedEx Express operating from the airport and offering services to destinations like Shanghai and New York City.

● Statistics

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is one of the busiest airports in France, with over 10 million passengers per year, and is a key economic driver for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The airport generates significant revenue from air traffic control fees, parking fees, and retail sales, and is an important source of employment for the local community, with companies like Air France and Sodexo operating at the airport. The airport is also an important cargo hub, with over 50,000 tons of cargo handled per year, and is a key transportation hub for companies like DHL and FedEx. The airport's statistics are comparable to those of other major airports in Europe, like Munich Airport and Zurich Airport.

● Ground Transport

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is well-connected to the surrounding region by a range of ground transportation options, including taxis, buses, and trains. The airport is located near the A43 highway and the A46 highway, making it easily accessible by car from nearby cities like Grenoble and Saint-Étienne. The airport is also connected to the Lyon city center by a tramway line, which offers a frequent and convenient service to destinations like Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache. Additionally, the airport is served by several car rental companies, including Europcar and Hertz, which offer a range of vehicles for hire, from economy cars to luxury vehicles. The airport's ground transportation options are comparable to those of other major airports in Europe, like Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Brussels Airport. Category:Airports in France