A tenth year of constant growth has just come to an end in Bordeaux. At this turning point, as the new face of Bordeaux airport takes shape, 2019 was an excellent year with 7.7 million passengers, of whom 60% on international flights. Growth hit a record 13.3% i.e. 900,000 more passengers in the space of just one year.
Largely international traffic
The powerful international routes account for 90% of the 113 destinations available in peak season. 2019 was a rich year with 39 new operations, bringing the total to 163 routes (see the appendix for details). These routes are operated by 34 companies, including four new ones in 2019: Air Canada, Lauda, Nouvelair and Ural Airlines. International flights posted a record increase of 20.4% to 4.6 million passengers. Intercontinental hubs accounted for one-third of international traffic, i.e. 1.8 million transiting passengers.
“Yet again, our low-cost airline development policy has paid off this year, since these companies generated 90% of new routes. Bordeaux welcomed a Ryanair base in 2019, following the introduction of air bases for Volotea and then easyJet, and Ryanair alone opened 27 of the 39 new routes. Bordeaux airport’s go-getting spirit further attracted network airlines such as Air Canada and Ural Airlines in 2019, and has spurred some established operators such as Turkish Airlines and Iberia to increase the frequency of their flights,” explained Pascal Personne, Chair of the SA Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac Executive Board.
A turning point
2019 was a decisive year for the airport, with the approval of a €169-million investment scheme to modernise and expand its infrastructure. Some projects have already been launched, such as the building of a new international pier with the HQE (High Environmental Quality) label and car park renovation as the first step towards improving airport accessibility. The new strategic plan for 2023 gives priority to environmentally responsible development initiatives reconciling the airport growth that is essential to socio-economic development in the New Aquitaine Region with sustainable development and respect for both the environment and people. In light of these goals, the airport has developed an ever-wider network of airlines (113 destinations) with an international focus.
Launching major building projects
Construction of the new international satellite is now under way > with 4 additional departing gates to ensure the comfort of passengers on international flights. The new facility is to include five new aircraft stands, combined with the refurbishment of existing international boarding areas. This comprises a new, 3,500-sq.m building currently under construction with very high environmental quality label, which will house new departure lounges as well as a retail and catering area.
Due to open in summer 2020.
The new billi check-in hall> with the extension of the Departures building, housing self bag drop check-in equipment and a new automatic luggage handling system.
Due to February 2020.
Then, billi terminal is being revamped and increasing its capacity, from 3.5 to 7 million pax, still fully in keeping with its tried-and-tested business model.
Due to open in 2021.
Accessibility and parking facilities > Usage is being facilitated by new, practical services, greater capacity and energy-saving systems. Improving airport parking facilities was one of the first building projects for the 2023 programme, launched in 2019. The main aim is to improve access to the airport with smoother traffic flow, greater, enhanced parking facilities, and multiple means of transport, mainly with the arrival of the tram.