Exploring Lyon's Airport Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Overview

Lyon, the third-largest city in France, has one main airport, Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport), which is located 20km southeast of the city centre. The airport serves the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is easily accessible from the cities of Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery, St. Etienne and Valence.

Lyon has one airport, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL)

Lyon, France's second-largest city, has one airport: Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL). The airport is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, 11 nautical miles (20 km or 13 mi) southeast of Lyon's city centre. It is easily accessible from the Lyon-Geneva and Lyon-Bourg-en-Bresse motorway, as well as other nearby motorways. Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport is one of the main provincial airports in France and serves a large area of central and central-eastern France. It is the most convenient major airport for the Rhone Alpes region and parts of the neighbouring regions of Burgundy, Franche Comté, and Auvergne. The airport is also within easy reach of the cities of Grenoble, Chambery, St. Etienne, and Valence.

Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport offers scheduled flights to many destinations in Western and Central Europe and Scandinavia, including London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. Additionally, there are regular flights to and from New York, Montreal, and Toronto. Several companies operate scheduled flights to the Mediterranean area, Dubai, and Eastern Europe. EasyJet has established a hub at the airport, offering a dozen regular destinations and other seasonal routes. A large number of charter flights also serve holiday destinations.

The airport features two runways, cargo facilities, and parking spaces for over 6,000 cars. It consists of two interconnected passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with a central building that provides a footbridge to the nearby Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupéry high-speed railway station and the Rhônexpress terminus. The airport can be easily accessed from Lyon's city centre via the Rhônexpress tram, which takes approximately 30 minutes. The airport also has its own high-speed rail line, providing direct TGV connections to Paris, Provence, Annecy, Valence, other parts of southern France, and Turin.

Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport was inaugurated by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing on April 12, 1975, and opened to passengers a week later. It was originally named Lyon Satolas Airport, after the nearby village, but in 2000, it was renamed to honour Lyonnais aviation pioneer and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on the centenary of his birth. The airport has seen significant development since the 2000s, including the expansion of Terminal 1, which doubled its capacity and area.

The airport is 20km from Lyon's city centre

Lyon, the third-largest city in France, has one airport: Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL). The airport is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, 20km southeast of Lyon's city centre. It is easily accessible from the Lyon-Geneva and Lyon-Bourg-en-Bresse motorway, as well as other motorways in the area.

The airport is conveniently reached from the centre of Lyon by the Rhônexpress light-rail link in just 29-30 minutes, with services running every 15 minutes. The Rhônexpress tram also connects the airport to the Lyon-Part-Dieu business district in 30 minutes. The airport is also served by the LGV Rhône-Alpes high-speed rail line, with direct trains to Paris, Provence, Annecy, Valence, other parts of southern France, and Turin.

For those travelling by car, the airport is situated beside the outer orbital motorway A432, just north of the A43 Lyon-Grenoble motorway. There is parking space for over 6000 cars, although rates can be expensive. Lyon Saint Exupéry airport's "e-Park" is a cheaper option, costing 45 € for up to one week and 55 € for up to two weeks, plus a reservation fee.

The airport offers scheduled flights to many countries in Western and Central Europe, as well as Scandinavia, North America, and the Mediterranean area. It is a hub for EasyJet, with a dozen regular destinations and other seasonal ones.

It has two terminals, with a third demolished during expansion works

Lyon, France's second-largest city, is served by Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), previously known as Lyon Satolas Airport. The airport is located in Colombier-Saugnieu, about 20 kilometres southeast of Lyon's city centre. It is easily accessible from the Lyon-Geneva and Lyon-Bourg-en-Bresse motorway, as well as other motorways in the region.

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport has two terminals that are interconnected on the landside by a central building. Terminal 1, the older of the two, has a slightly curved, brick-shaped design with two levels. It includes check-in areas, departure areas, and arrivals facilities. In 2014, an expansion project was initiated for Terminal 1, which doubled its capacity and area. The expanded section has a circular shape and provides additional check-in and arrival facilities, as well as upper-level departure gates. It is also connected to a satellite building that houses the 'D' gates, primarily serving low-cost airlines such as easyJet. Terminal 2 mirrors the older part of Terminal 1 and contains check-in, boarding, and arrivals facilities. This terminal area is predominantly utilised by Air France.

The airport previously had a third terminal, a basic facility used by low-cost carriers. However, during the expansion works of Terminal 1, this former Terminal 3 was demolished to accommodate the increased size and capacity of the expanded terminal. The satellite building associated with the former Terminal 3 remains open, accommodating the 'D' gates for low-cost airlines.

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport is a significant transport hub, serving the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and parts of neighbouring regions. It offers convenient access to Lyon's city centre through the Rhônexpress tram, connecting the airport to the Lyon-Part-Dieu business district in approximately 30 minutes. Additionally, the airport has its own high-speed rail line, providing direct TGV connections to various destinations in France and even Turin, Italy.

The airport is accessible from Lyon's city centre via the Rhônexpress tram

Lyon, France's second-largest city, is served by Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (formerly Lyon Satolas Airport), located 20km southeast of the city centre. The airport is accessible from Lyon's city centre via the Rhônexpress tram, which takes approximately 30 minutes. The Rhônexpress is a light-rail link that offers easy and rapid access to and from the airport, with services running every 15 minutes. It connects the airport with Lyon Part-Dieu station, the city's main train station.

The Rhônexpress tramway began operations in August 2010, providing a direct connection between the airport and the city centre. It shares existing tracks with the Lyon tramway and utilises a newly constructed route. Prior to the introduction of the Rhônexpress, the airport had no public transport connections to the city centre, relying solely on coach shuttle services.

The tramway not only offers convenience for travellers but also plays a vital role in the region's transport network. Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport is a significant transport facility for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and parts of neighbouring regions. It is easily accessible from nearby cities such as Grenoble, Chambéry, St. Etienne, and Valence.

In addition to the Rhônexpress, the airport is also served by other transport options. The LGV Rhône-Alpes high-speed rail line connects the airport with direct trains to Paris, Marseille, and other destinations. Coach links are available to nearby towns, including Grenoble, Saint-Étienne, and Chambéry. Bus operators also provide shuttle services to popular French ski resorts in the area.

The airport offers flights to cities in Europe, North America, and Dubai

Lyon, France's second-largest city, is served by Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (formerly Lyon Satolas Airport), which is located 20 kilometres southeast of the city centre. The airport is easily accessible by road and has its own high-speed rail line, providing direct connections to several destinations across France and beyond.

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport offers flights to cities in Europe, North America, and Dubai. European destinations include London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted in the UK; Copenhagen, Denmark; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia in Spain; and many more. For North America, there are regular flights to New York, USA, and Montreal and Toronto in Canada. The airport also offers flights to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Several airlines operate out of Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport, including Air France, which has used the airport as a focus city since 1997. EasyJet has also established a hub at Lyon, offering regular and seasonal flights to various destinations. Other airlines serving the airport include Air Transat, Emirates, and Star Alliance carriers.

The airport consists of two main passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are interconnected by a central building. Terminal 1 was expanded in 2018, doubling its capacity and area. The expansion included the addition of a circular-shaped building with check-in and arrival facilities, as well as departure gates. Terminal 2 houses check-in and boarding areas, with the lower level dedicated to arrivals.

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport provides easy access to and from the city of Lyon. The Rhônexpress light-rail link connects the airport to the city centre in approximately 29-30 minutes, with services running every 15 minutes. Additionally, coach links connect the airport to nearby towns, including Grenoble, Saint-Étienne, and Chambéry.

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