Dijon's Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in dijon

Dijon, France, is served by several airports, including Dijon-Bourgogne Airport, Dole–Jura Airport, and Épinal – Mirecourt Airport. Dijon-Bourgogne Airport is the closest to the city, situated around 4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers) away and mainly serving business flights. The airport has a rich history, having been established in 1914 and serving as a joint civilian and military base for over 100 years. Today, it functions as a commercial airport, providing travelers with convenient access to the city of Dijon and the surrounding area.

Characteristics Values
Name of the airport Dijon-Bourgogne Airport
Airport Code DIJ
Distance from Dijon 4.8 miles / 7.7 kilometers
Nearest Airports Dole–Jura Airport, Épinal – Mirecourt Airport
Distance from Dole–Jura Airport 27.3 miles / 44.0 kilometers
Distance from Épinal – Mirecourt Airport 85.2 miles / 137.1 kilometers

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Airports near Dijon, France

Dijon, France, does indeed have an airport, known as Dijon Airport, Aéroport Dijon-Bourgogne, or Dijon-Longvic Air Base. The airport is located around 4.8 miles (7.7 km) from the city of Dijon and mainly serves business flights.

Dijon Airport has a long history, with its origins beginning in September 1910 as a civilian aerodrome. It has been active for over 100 years, through both World Wars, the Cold War, and numerous other crises. The airport was attacked by the Luftwaffe on several occasions during the Battle of France in World War II. In 1949, the airfield was rebuilt and reopened, becoming the first airbase of the French Air Force to be equipped with jet aircraft. The military left the base in June 2016, and it is now operated as a joint civilian base and commercial airport.

There are several other airports near Dijon, including:

  • Dole–Jura Airport (27.3 miles / 44.0 kilometers away)
  • Épinal – Mirecourt Airport (85.2 miles / 137.1 kilometers away)
  • Charolais Bourgogne Airport (77.96 miles / 125.46 kilometers away)
  • Auxerre Branches Airport (83.06 miles / 133.67 kilometers away)

Additionally, travellers can fly into larger airports such as Geneva or St. Etienne and take the high-speed TGV to Dijon Ville station.

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Dijon-Bourgogne Airport

The history of Dijon-Bourgogne Airport dates back to the early 20th century. Established in 1914, the airfield has been active for over 100 years and played a role during both World Wars, the Cold War, and other significant events. The airport has a long association with military aviation, initially serving as a base for the French Air Force. In June 2016, the military presence at the base ended, and it transitioned into a joint civilian base, now operating as a commercial airport.

The airport is surrounded by several towns and villages, including Ahuy, Aiserey, Arc-sur-Tille, and Arceau, all within a 15-kilometre radius. The airport is accessible by various transportation options, including taxis and the high-speed TGV to Dijon Ville station.

Overall, Dijon-Bourgogne Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the city of Dijon and the surrounding region, catering to both business and leisure travellers.

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Dole–Jura Airport

The airport is used for general aviation and a few commercial airline services. It operates regular flights as well as charter flights during the summer season. The single terminal building houses a snack bar and a meeting room. A regular bus service runs from Dole-Tavaux Airport to the railway stations at Dijon, Besancon, and Beaune. The airport has 250 free car parking spaces, open to both passengers and visitors, situated close to the terminal building.

During World War II, the airport was used by the German Luftwaffe during the occupation of France as an Air Intelligence training facility (Luftnachrichten-Ausbildungs-Regiment 302). It was attacked by the United States Army Air Force on several occasions in the spring of 1944. After the airfield was liberated by Allied forces in early September 1944, the United States Army Air Forces IX Engineer Command repaired the airfield and made it ready for operational use by combat units.

Today, the airport's World War II history remains, with the alert pads built by the Germans at each end of the main runway. There also appears to be a weapons storage facility located to the northeast of the airfield, along with some deteriorating concrete wartime taxiways.

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Dijon Air Base history

The Dijon-Longvic Air Base, also known as Base aérienne 102 Dijon, was a French Air Force base located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east-southeast of Longvic, about 165 miles (266 km) southeast of Paris. It was one of the oldest of the Armée de l'Air, established in 1914 with origins dating back to September 1910 as a civilian aerodrome. The base has been active for over a century, through both World Wars, the Cold War, and numerous other crises.

During World War II, the airport was attacked by the Luftwaffe on several occasions during the Battle of France and was seized by the German Army in June 1940. It was used as a prisoner-of-war camp for French and Allied personnel during the German Blitzkrieg and was named "Front Stalag 155". While under Luftwaffe control, the base was attacked by the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force heavy B-17 Flying Fortress groups several times in 1944.

With the Allied ground forces advancing, the Germans evacuated the base on September 10, 1944, after attempting to destroy the remaining infrastructure. On September 12, the first American units arrived at the base and began rehabilitating it into an operational combat airfield. The base was designated Advanced Landing Ground "Y-9" and became operationally ready on September 25, just two weeks after the Americans' arrival.

After World War II, the airfield was rebuilt and reopened in 1949, becoming the first air base of the Air Force to be equipped with jet aircraft: the De Havilland DH.100 Vampire. The base continued to receive upgraded aircraft over the years, including the Dassault Mirage 2000C in 1984, contributing to a modern, front-line NATO facility.

In October 2014, budget cuts were announced, and the military planned to withdraw from the base. The French military eventually left the base in June 2016. Today, the airfield operates as a joint civilian base and is used as a commercial airport named Aéroport Dijon-Bourgogne.

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Airports serving Dijon

Dijon, France, is served by several airports, with the closest being Dijon-Bourgogne Airport, which is located around 4.8 miles (7.7 km) from the city. This small airport mainly serves business flights.

Dijon-Bourgogne Airport is also known as Aéroport Dijon-Bourgogne or Dijon-Longvic Air Base and was previously a military base for the French Air Force. It has a long history, dating back to 1910 when it was a civilian aerodrome, and has been active through both World Wars, the Cold War, and numerous other crises. The airfield is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east-southeast of Longvic and about 165 miles (266 km) southeast of Paris.

Other nearby airports include Dole–Jura Airport, located 27.3 miles (44.0 kilometers) from Dijon, and Épinal – Mirecourt Airport, which is 85.2 miles (137.1 kilometers) away.

There are also several other airports within a reasonable distance of Dijon, including Charolais Bourgogne Airport and Auxerre Branches Airport, which are approximately 77.96 miles (125.46 km) and 83.06 miles (133.67 km) away, respectively.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Dijon has a small passenger airport called Dijon-Bourgogne Airport, located about 4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers) from the city.

Local transport options are available from the airport, including taxis that can take you to the city.

Yes, there are several other airports near Dijon, including Dole–Jura Airport (27.3 miles/44.0 kilometers away), Épinal – Mirecourt Airport (85.2 miles/137.1 kilometers away), and Auxerre Branches Airport (133.67 km/83.06 miles away).

The IATA code for Dijon Airport is DIJ.

Dijon Airport mainly serves business flights.

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