How a 1912 airfield evolved into a major European transit hub
In short: From its origins on privately owned land in 1912, Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport has transformed through decades of expansion. Once a base for Luftwaffe maritime patrol during World War II, it has grown from handling 500,000 passengers in 1970 to surpassing 6 million annual travelers for the first time in 2017.
The airport's history is marked by significant structural shifts and geopolitical changes. Founded in 1912 after the French government purchased private land, it saw its first permanent passenger terminal in the early 1930s. While France was occupied during World War II, this airfield acted as a main base for the Luftwaffe maritime patrol unit KG 40. Following the war, the facility underwent major refurbishment in the 1960s, with Air Inter launching the first scheduled flights to Paris in 1962.
The late 20th century brought rapid growth and infrastructure complexity. The airport's annual passenger limit hit 2,000,000 by 1987. This era also saw tragedy on 21 December 1987, when Air Littoral Flight 1919, an Embraer EMB 120RT Brasilia, crashed during its approach, resulting in the deaths of all 16 occupants. To meet growing needs, a new terminal for the busy Bordeaux-Paris route was constructed from 1994 to 1996, with a fresh air traffic control tower arriving in 2000.
Nowadays, the airport has adjusted to the growth of low-cost aviation. A terminal expansion in 2010 created a dedicated facility for these carriers, which accounted for 40 percent of traffic by 2014. However, the landscape remains volatile; in May 2024, Ryanair announced it would exit the airport due to fee increases, terminating 40 routes and ceasing all operations there by November 2024. Today, the airport operates three passenger buildings, including Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for major routes like Paris and Lyon.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
- Also: Wikidata — Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport · CC0
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