Marseille Provence Airport or Aéroport de Marseille Provence is an international airport located 27 km northwest of Marseille, on the territory of Marignane, both communes of the Bouches-du-Rhônedépartement in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azurrégion of France. The airport's hinterland goes from Gap to Arles and from Toulon to Avignon. 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.
History
Formerly known as Marseille–Marignane Airport, it has been managed since 1934 by the Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 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 AirwaysClipper 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
Cargo
Ground transportation
The airport is served by the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport rail station on the TER network. A free shuttle bus runs between the airport and the station.
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 byVickers Vanguard F-GEJE, crashed on takeoff. Three crew died; no passengers were being carried.
