Marseille Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Marseille Provence Airport, formerly known as Marseille–Marignane Airport, is an international airport located 25-27km northwest of Marseille, France. It is the second-largest regional airport in France, serving over 9 million passengers in 2022 and 10.8 million passengers in 2023. The airport has two terminals, two runways, and over 9,000 parking spaces across nine car parks. It is served by more than 30 airlines and connects directly to 128 destinations in 35-36 countries.

Passenger numbers

Marseille Provence Airport is an international airport located 25-27km northwest of Marseille, France. It is the fifth busiest airport in France by passenger traffic, serving over 30 airlines and connecting to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

In 2012, the airport achieved the fourth highest European passenger traffic growth, at 12.7% with 8,295,479 passengers. In 2022, the airport was the second-largest regional airport in France, with over 9 million passengers. The following year, in 2023, passenger numbers increased to 10.8 million, recovering from the pre-COVID period.

The airport has two terminals, two runways, and 130 aircraft movements per day. It is served by more than 170 airlines and connects directly to 128-130 destinations in 35-36 countries. Marseille Provence Airport is the focus city for Air France, which is the biggest operator at the airport.

Cargo capacity

Marseille Provence Airport is the second-biggest cargo hub in France, serving over 30 airlines during the summer period. The airport is strategically located at the heart of Southern Europe, connecting Provence to the biggest European hubs.

In 2016, the airport handled 52,207 tonnes of freight. Marseille Provence Airport is recognised as the third-biggest by cargo handling capacity, and in 2023, it served as a cargo hub for 59,700 tonnes of cargo.

The airport's cargo capacity is supported by its two terminals, two runways, and multiple parking facilities. The two runways measure 2,400m and 3,500m each, and there are five parking lots with a total of 13,500 parking spaces.

The airport's cargo operations are facilitated by ground/cargo handlers such as Air Dispatch Aviation and Nayak Aircraft Services, as well as fuel and oil suppliers. Marseille Provence Airport also has a dynamic catchment area, chosen by industry world leaders such as Airbus Helicopters, CMA-CGM, and L'Occitane.

With its cargo capacity and strategic location, Marseille Provence Airport plays a vital role in facilitating cargo transportation and connecting Southern Europe to the rest of the world.

Terminals

Marseille Provence Airport has two terminals, which are within walking distance of each other. Information desks can be found in the main halls of both terminals, and staff can advise on airport facilities, flight times, and connecting flights.

The airport is served by over 30 airlines, connecting to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2023, the airport served 10.8 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in France by passenger traffic.

The airport has a variety of shopping and dining options, including duty-free shops, newsagents, local produce and handicraft shops, and perfumeries. There are also various cafes and restaurants, ranging from brasseries serving local dishes to international coffee and fast-food chains.

The airport has efficient ground transportation options, including shuttle buses, taxis, and car rental services. The airport is also served by the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport rail station on the TER network, with regular trains to Marseille and other destinations.

Marseille Provence Airport also offers a range of other services and facilities, including ATMs, a bureau de change, baby changing facilities, showers, and disabled facilities such as adapted toilets, lifts, and reserved parking spaces. The airport's website provides detailed information on all the services and facilities available.

Runways

Marseille Provence Airport, located 27km northwest of Marseille, France, has two runways. The main runway is 3,500m long and 45m wide. The second runway is 2,400m long and 45m wide. The airport covers an area of 600 hectares and has no "slot" constraints, allowing for 24-hour operations without a night ban for aircraft.

The runways at Marseille Provence Airport accommodate a high volume of air traffic, contributing to the airport's status as a significant regional hub for the Provence-Alps Côte d'Azur area. The airport serves both domestic and international flights, connecting Provence to major European hubs and destinations worldwide.

With a length of 3,500 meters, the main runway enables the operation of various aircraft types, including large commercial jets and private jets. This runway length is a crucial factor in determining the maximum takeoff and landing weight of aircraft, ensuring safe and efficient operations at the airport.

The second runway, at 2,400 meters in length, complements the main runway by providing additional capacity and flexibility for aircraft operations. This runway is still substantial in length, accommodating a range of aircraft sizes and facilitating smooth air traffic management at the airport.

The absence of "slot" constraints at Marseille Provence Airport further enhances the efficiency of runway utilization. Airports typically use slot constraints to manage air traffic by allocating specific time slots for takeoffs and landings. However, Marseille Provence Airport's lack of such constraints allows for more dynamic and adaptable scheduling, optimizing the use of its two runways.

In conclusion, the two runways at Marseille Provence Airport, with their respective lengths of 3,500 meters and 2,400 meters, coupled with the airport's unrestricted operating hours and strategic location, contribute to its role as a significant aviation hub in Southern Europe.

Location

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is an international airport located 25-27km (16-17 miles) northwest of Marseille, France. It is situated on the D20 at Marignane, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of the country. The airport is 27km from the city centre of Marseille, and the easiest way to get there is via the Lecar 91 line Airport shuttle to Marseille St Charles station, which runs seven days a week from 4.10 am to 1.30 am, with a shuttle departing every 10 minutes during rush hour. The journey takes between 30 and 50 minutes, and a single ticket costs €10 or €10.90 when combined with an RTM ticket. Shuttle buses also run to Aix-en-Provence bus and TGV train stations, with a journey time of 30-40 minutes and a fare of €8.30.

Marseille Provence Airport is the second-largest regional airport in France, serving over 9 million passengers in 2022 and 10.8 million in 2023. It is the fifth-busiest airport in the country in terms of passenger traffic and the second-biggest for cargo traffic, serving over 30 airlines in the summer. The airport is served by more than 170 airlines operated by more than 30 companies, connecting directly to 128 destinations in 35-36 countries. Air France is the biggest operator at the airport.

The airport has two terminals, which are within walking distance of each other, and two runways (3,500m and 2,400m). There are 130 aircraft movements per day, and the airport has a catchment area of 6.4-6.5 million people within a two-hour drive. The airport is served by the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport rail station on the TER network, with regular free shuttle buses running between the terminals and the station. Marseille Provence Airport is also accessible by taxi, and car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt have desks on the ground floor of Hall 4 (domestic arrivals).

Frequently asked questions