Marseille Provence Airport

Marseille Provence Airport is a major French airport located in Marignane, near the city of Marseille, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It serves as a key hub for Air France, Ryanair, and Volotea, offering connections to numerous destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The airport is situated approximately 27 kilometers northwest of Marseille's city center, near the Étang de Berre lake, and is also close to the cities of Aix-en-Provence and Arles. The airport's strategic location allows it to serve as a gateway to popular tourist destinations such as the French Riviera, Camargue, and the Luberon region.

● Overview

Marseille Provence Airport is the fifth busiest airport in France, after Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, and Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. The airport is managed by the Aéroport de Marseille Provence company, which is a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Marseille Provence. The airport's catchment area includes the Bouches-du-Rhône department, as well as parts of the Var and Vaucluse departments, serving cities such as Toulon, Avignon, and Nîmes. The airport is also a major cargo hub, with companies such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS operating from the airport.

● History

The airport was opened in 1922, during the Interwar period, as a small airfield serving the city of Marseille. During World War II, the airport was used by the French Air Force and the Royal Air Force, and was also a key base for the Allies during the Invasion of Southern France. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion, with the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the runway. The airport was also used as a hub by Air France and Sabena, and was a key destination for Olympic Airlines, Alitalia, and Iberia. In recent years, the airport has continued to expand, with the addition of new terminals and the development of new routes by low-cost carriers such as EasyJet and Ryanair.

● Facilities

The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected by a shuttle bus service. The terminals offer a range of facilities, including duty-free shopping, restaurants, and bars. The airport also has a number of lounges, including the Salon Marseille Provence and the Salon Azur, which offer passengers a range of amenities, including Wi-Fi, showers, and meeting rooms. The airport is also equipped with a number of parking facilities, including long-stay and short-stay car parks, as well as a drop-off area for passengers. The airport is also home to a number of hotels, including the Novotel Marseille Provence and the Ibis Marseille Provence.

● Airlines_and_Destinations

The airport is served by a number of airlines, including Air France, Ryanair, Volotea, EasyJet, and Tunisair. The airport offers connections to numerous destinations across Europe, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Rome. The airport also offers connections to destinations in North Africa, including Tunis, Algiers, and Casablanca, as well as destinations in the Middle East, including Istanbul and Tel Aviv. The airport is also a key hub for seasonal flights, with airlines such as Transavia and Eurowings operating flights to destinations such as Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Heraklion.

● Statistics

In 2020, the airport handled over 9 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in France. The airport also handled over 50,000 tons of cargo, making it a major cargo hub in the region. The airport's passenger traffic has been growing steadily in recent years, with an increase of over 10% in 2019 compared to the previous year. The airport is also a major employer in the region, with over 5,000 people working at the airport, including employees of Air France, Ryanair, and other airlines, as well as companies such as DHL and FedEx.

● Ground_Transportation

The airport is connected to the city of Marseille by a number of transportation options, including taxis, buses, and trains. The airport is also connected to the A54 highway, which provides access to the cities of Aix-en-Provence and Arles. The airport is also served by the Navette Marseille Provence shuttle bus service, which connects the airport to the city center and the Marseille Saint-Charles train station. The airport is also a key hub for car rental companies, including Europcar, Hertz, and Avis, which offer passengers a range of vehicles for rent. The airport is also connected to the TGV train network, with trains operating from the airport to destinations such as Paris, Lyon, and Nice.