Marseille Provence Airport

Marseille Provence Airport () is an international airport located 27 km (17 miles) northwest of Marseille, on the territory of Marignane, both '' communes'' of the Bouches-du-Rhône '' département'' in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur '' région'' of France. The airport's hinterland goes from Gap to Arles and from Toulon to Avignon.

History

Formerly known as ''Marseille–Marignane Airport'', it has been managed since 1934 by the Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).

In the 1920s and 1930s, Marignane was one of France's main points of operation for flying boats. It even briefly served as a terminal for Pan American World Airways ''Clipper'' flying boats. Other flying boat operators were Aéropostale and Air Union, the latter moving over from Antibes in 1931. Marignane was also a production site for hydroplanes by Lioré et Olivier.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery describes turning back to Marignane airport with a fuel leak in chapter 8 of '' Wind, Sand and Stars'', before setting out again for Tunis, and the fateful event that informed his later description of the crash-landing in his best-known book, '' The Little Prince''.

In September 2006, the airport opened its new terminal MP2 for budget airlines. In 2013 the airport expanded its shopping and dining options, with 30 new shops and restaurants, among which is the first Burger King restaurant in France since 1997.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Marseille Provence Airport:

Cargo

Statistics

It is the fifth busiest French airport by passenger traffic and third largest for cargo traffic. In 2012 the airport achieved the fourth highest European passenger traffic growth, at 12.7% with 8,295,479 passengers. Marseille Provence Airport serves as a focus city for Air France. In summer 2013, the airport served 132 regular destinations, the largest offer in France after the Parisian airports.

Ground transportation

The airport is served by the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport rail station on the TER network. A public bus runs between the airport and the station.

Other facilities

* The airport is the main fixed wing base of Sécurité Civile, the aerial firefighting division of the French Ministry of the Interior.** This Sécurité Civile base has now moved to nearby Nîmes-Garons.
* The head office of Airbus Helicopters is located on the airport property.Legal Notice and Disclaimer
." Eurocopter. Retrieved on 8 December 2010. " ..hose registered Office is located Aéroport International Marseille-Provence – 13725 Marignane Cedex – France".

Accidents and incidents

* On 4 February 1948, SNCASE Languedoc P/7 F-BATK of Air France was damaged beyond economical repair.
* On 30 July 1950, SNCASE Languedoc P/7 F-BCUI of Air France was damaged beyond economic repair when its undercarriage collapsed on landing.
* On 6 February 1989, Inter Cargo Service Flight 3132, operated by Vickers Vanguard F-GEJE, crashed on takeoff. Three crew died; no passengers were on board.
* On 26 December 1994, Air France Flight 8969, with 236 people aboard, arrived in Marseille after being hijacked by four young men of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) at Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers, Algeria two days prior. After 15 hours on the ground and a breakdown in negotiations, the French special forces GIGN stormed the aircraft. In the ensuing firefight, all four hijackers were killed while three crew, 13 passengers, and nine GIGN operatives were injured. The Airbus A300B2-1C F-GBEC was written off.

See also

* List of the busiest airports in France

References

External links

* Marseille Provence Airport, official site i
English
an
French

''Aéroport de Marseille-Provence''
page at ''Union des Aéroports Français''
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{{Authority control

Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the European Theater
Airports established in 1922
Airports in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Buildings and structures in Marseille
Airport
1922 establishments in France