Bodrum Airport: A Small Airport With Big Ambitions

Bordeaux Airport (BOD) is an international airport located 10-12km west of Bordeaux, France. Covering a total area of 47,600 square metres, it is France's fifth-busiest airport outside of Paris and the fifth-busiest regional airport complex in the country, serving over 4 million passengers annually. The airport has three terminals, with one dedicated to domestic flights and another to low-cost 'bili' flights. Bordeaux Airport offers flights to various internal and international destinations, including Paris, Reims, Nice, Madrid, Munich, and Dublin.

Runway length

The history of the runway at Bodø Airport dates back to World War II. During the early years of the war, the area was a makeshift runway built on swampland by British and Allied troops. This initial runway consisted of wooden planks floating on water. However, in 1940, the German Luftwaffe seized control of the airport and upgraded the runway to concrete.

Following the war, the runway was further developed and improved. Today, it accommodates a variety of aircraft, including regional airline flights to Helgeland, Lofoten, and Vesterålen, as well as jet operations to major domestic destinations. The airport also shares facilities with the Bodø Main Air Station, the largest air station in Norway operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

The length and width of the runway at Bodø Airport are crucial factors in ensuring safe take-off and landing operations for the various aircraft using the facility. The runway length provides the necessary distance for aircraft to accelerate during take-off and decelerate during landing, while the width allows for stable lateral movement and manoeuvring. Additionally, the concrete surface provides a strong and durable foundation capable of withstanding the weight and impact of aircraft.

In summary, the runway length and overall infrastructure of the Bodø Airport runway reflect the airport's role as a hub for regional and domestic aviation in Norway. The runway's dimensions cater to the operational requirements of different aircraft, ensuring safe and efficient air traffic operations.

Location

Bodø Airport (IATA: BOO, ICAO: ENBO) is a civil airport in the town of Bodø in Norway. It is situated on the westernmost tip of the Bodø peninsula, just south of the city centre, about 1.5 km away. The airport shares facilities with the military air force base Bodø Main Air Station, which is the largest air station in Norway operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The air station is home to the 331st and 332nd Squadrons, which are equipped with General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, as well as a detachment from the 330th Squadron of Westland Sea King helicopters.

The airport is easily accessible by local bus, taxi, or even on foot. There are also regional buses that connect to the airport. It is about 2.0 km from the railway station and can be accessed by road via the A630 autoroute (exit 11b). The Norwegian Aviation Museum, a national museum funded through the national budget, is located next to the airport in a propeller-shaped building. The museum exhibits several military aircraft, including a Lockheed U-2, a Gloster Gladiator, and a Supermarine Spitfire, as well as some civilian aircraft like the de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter and a Junkers Ju 52/3m on floats.

The first runway at Bodø Airport was built during World War II by British troops after Germany invaded Norway. The area was swampland, and the first makeshift runway consisted of wooden planks floating on the water. The German Luftwaffe seized control of the airport and upgraded the runway to concrete. After the war, the airport was not extensively used until the start of the Korean War in 1950, when a new military base was constructed southwest of the old one due to fears of a Soviet attack on Western Europe.

There are plans to build a new airport about one kilometre south of the current location and to develop a new smart city district on the site of the existing airport. The smart city will focus on transportation and sustainability, with the new airport potentially being ready before 2030.

Transport options

The airport is located just south of the city centre of Bodø, Norway, on the westernmost tip of the Bodø peninsula. It is about 1.5 km from the city centre and 2 km from the railway station.

There are several transport options to and from the airport. You can take a local bus, a taxi, or walk. There are also regional buses that depart from the airport. The local bus will take you directly from the airport to the city centre. The airport is also served by more than ten daily return flights to Oslo.

If you are looking to travel from the city centre to the airport, the shuttle service can provide a transfer. This can be booked in advance, and you will be greeted by a professional driver with a name tag. Taxis are also available, and this is the fastest way to get to the airport, taking around 13 minutes.

If you are travelling to or from Bordeaux Airport (BOD), there are also several transport options. The airport is located 10-12 km west of Bordeaux city centre. The airport serves over 6.5 million passengers annually. You can take a bus, train, or taxi to and from the airport. The cheapest way to get to the airport is by bus, which costs $1, and the quickest way is by taxi, which takes 13 minutes. The bus from Gare Bordeaux to Merignac Aeroport takes 30 minutes and departs hourly. There is also a tram service that takes 34 minutes and costs $2.

Terminals

Bordeaux Airport, or Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, is located 10-12km west of Bordeaux, France. It is the fifth-busiest regional airport complex in France, serving over 4 million passengers annually to over 80 destinations. The airport has three terminals, with one for domestic flights, another for low-cost 'bili' (Bordeaux illico) flights, and the third being an L-shaped multi-level terminal building with arrivals on the lower level and departures on the upper level. Terminal billi, built in 2010 and expanded in 2015, is a separate facility for low-cost carriers such as easyJet.

The airport offers a range of amenities for travellers, including ample parking situated close to the airport building, twenty-odd shops, free high-speed internet access in its departure lounges, and restaurants and bars in the public zones of the departure hall. Safe Bag desks can be found in Terminal A next to the check-in desks opposite Entrance 4, and in Terminal B facing Entrance 10 in front of the Air France check-in desks.

Bordeaux Airport provides access to both internal and international destinations. It mainly features flights to metropolitan and leisure destinations in Europe, Northern Africa, and Canada, and serves as a base for airlines such as easyJet and Volotea. The airport is accessible by road via the A630 autoroute (exit 11b), and there is a direct shuttle serving the Bordeaux Saint-Jean railway station. Bus route 1+ of Transports Bordeaux Métropole serves the city centre, and the Bordeaux tramway's Line A connects the airport with the city centre.

History

The history of Bordeaux Merignac Airport (BOD) dates back to 1917, when it was a military airbase. The airport was also used for civilian flights and was soon used by Air France for various flights around Europe. During World War II, the US air force was based at Mérignac Airport, and it was not until the 1960s that all military activities at the airport ceased.

The airport has undergone significant development over the years. In the 1960s, the airport saw a boom in package flights. Today, Bordeaux Airport serves a large selection of both national and international destinations and is an important hub for Air France's Iberian connections. It is located just 12 kilometres west of Bordeaux and handles around four million passengers annually. The airport has one terminal with two sections, Hall A and Hall B, which are connected by a covered walkway. Hall A serves international flights, while Hall B handles domestic flights.

Bordeaux Merignac Airport has a rich history, with the city of Bordeaux being the region's capital and boasting a myriad of interesting historical attractions, such as castles and museums. The airport itself has modern amenities, including ATMs, a bank, a post office, shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Planning future developments, there are discussions to build a new airport about one kilometre south of the current location and to build a new smart city district on the current site. The new airport could be ready before 2030.

Frequently asked questions