Roberta Aguirre
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, the second busiest airport in France, has a long history dating back to the early 1900s. In 1910, the city hosted its first aviation meeting, with the greatest flyers of the time. Postal flights between Nice and Corsica began in 1918, and the airport, then known as California Airfield, came into being in the late 1920s. During World War II, it was used by the military, and in 1944, the Americans created the first concrete runway. The airport has continued to expand and improve, with new routes, terminals, and runways being added over the years. It now handles millions of passengers each year and is a key gateway to the Côte d'Azur and Monaco.
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What You'll Learn
The first air show was held in 1910
The history of Nice Airport, currently known as Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, can be traced back to the early 1900s. However, the first air show was held in 1910, attracting large crowds of around 100,000 people to witness the greatest flyers of that time. This event was a significant milestone, as it marked the beginning of aviation in Nice.
The air show took place at the Nice hippodrome, which was a grassy stretch of beach where aviation pioneer Captain Ferdinand Ferber had conducted various glider experiments on a 700-metre grass runway. Unfortunately, Ferber perished in 1909 during a demonstration, but his legacy inspired the city's first aeronautical gathering.
Following the inaugural air show, Nice continued to host similar events, and in the late 1920s, the Cote d'Azur Airport was established, commissioned by the Air Ministry and utilised by the Nice Flying Club. During World War II, the airport was used by military forces, and it underwent significant improvements in 1944, including the construction of a hard-surface runway.
In the post-war period, Nice Airport witnessed a surge in commercial aviation. Air France established routes connecting Nice with Paris, Marseille, and other destinations, leading to a rapid increase in passenger numbers. By 1950, the airport was serving over 200,000 passengers annually, and its popularity continued to grow, surpassing one million passengers in 1964 and reaching two million by 1972.
Over the years, Nice Airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements, including the extension of runways, the addition of terminals, and the implementation of new technologies. Today, it stands as the second busiest airport in France, serving millions of passengers annually and offering connections to various domestic and international destinations.
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It was used by the military during World War II
The history of Nice airport dates back to the early 1900s, with the city's first aviation meeting held in 1910. However, it was during World War II that the airport was primarily used by the military. Known as the "Nice Cote d'Azur Airport", it served as a strategic location for military operations.
In 1940, during the Second World War, a grass runway of one kilometer in length was constructed at the airport. This runway was extended in 1944 when the Americans created the first concrete runway for their bombers. The airport was also utilised by the US Army Air Force, who referred to it as Advanced Landing Ground Y-52. The field was bombed by the Allies several times during the war and eventually taken over by the Allied military forces in 1944.
Following the war, the airport underwent significant improvements. In 1945, Air France established a presence at the airport, operating the Paris-Marseille-Nice route. The airport was renamed "Nice - Le Var Airport" in 1946 and opened to commercial air traffic. By 1950, passenger numbers had surged to around 200,000 annually, and the airport continued to expand and extend its runway to accommodate increasing air traffic.
Today, the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the second-largest airport in France, serving as a key gateway to the Côte d'Azur and the city of Nice. It is renowned for its impressive landings and offers travellers breathtaking views of the Riviera coastline. The airport has come a long way since its military usage during World War II, now boasting two passenger terminals and handling millions of passengers each year.
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The first concrete runway was built in 1944
The history of Nice airport can be traced back to the early 1900s, with the first air show taking place in 1910. However, it wasn't until 1944 that the first concrete runway was built. This marked a significant milestone in the development of the airport, which had previously served as a military airfield during World War II.
During the war, the airport was used by the military and the Air Force, and it wasn't until the Americans arrived in 1944 that major improvements were made. These included the construction of the first concrete runway and the building of the first control tower for their bombers. This new concrete runway replaced the grass runway that had existed since 1940.
The concrete runway measured 4,429 feet in length and was laid down by the Allied military forces, who had taken over the field from the Vichy French units. This new runway could accommodate larger aircraft and enabled the airport to handle a higher volume of traffic.
Following the end of World War II, the airport resumed civilian operations in 1946 and was renamed "Nice - Le Var Airport". Air France began operating flights between Paris and Nice in June 1945, which quickly became a popular route. By 1950, passenger numbers had surged to around 200,000 annually, and the airport continued to expand and extend its runway to accommodate this growing demand.
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The airport was renamed in 1955
The history of aviation in Nice dates back to the early 1900s, with the city's first air show taking place in 1910. In the 1920s, the locals renamed the area from "terrain de la Californie" (California Field) to "champs d'aviation de la Californie" (California Airfield). During World War II, the site was used by the military, and in 1944, the Americans constructed the first concrete runway and control tower.
By 1950, the airport was receiving over 200,000 passengers annually, and in 1951, the runway was extended to 5,577 feet. The airport continued to expand, and by 1956, the runway was further lengthened to 2,685 metres, allowing it to welcome its first Boeing 707 aircraft. This expansion continued into the 1960s, with the runway reaching 3,000 metres in length by 1964, enabling longer-haul flights, including the first direct Nice-New York route.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport has continued to grow and develop over the years, becoming the third busiest airport in France and serving as a principal port of entry for visitors to the Côte d'Azur. It has two passenger terminals and handles a significant amount of air traffic, with a theoretical capacity of 14 million annual passengers and 26 landings per hour.
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It has since expanded to two runways and three terminals
The expansion of the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport has been a gradual process over several decades, with the airport now boasting two runways and three terminals. The airport's history dates back to the early 1900s, with the first air show taking place in 1910. However, it was not until the late 1920s that the airport came into being, commissioned by the Air Ministry and used by the Nice Flying Club.
The airport's growth has been influenced by various factors, including the increasing demand for air travel and the need for improved infrastructure. In the 1970s, the airport underwent a significant expansion with the addition of a new runway, which was built on land reclaimed from the sea. This new runway, measuring 9,711 feet in length, allowed for longer-haul aircraft and resulted in the first direct Nice-New York flight.
The airport continued to expand, and by the 1980s, it had two parallel runways. The original runway, designated as 05/23, was retired and is now used as a taxiway. The addition of the second runway increased the airport's capacity and improved its efficiency, allowing it to handle a larger volume of air traffic.
Over time, the airport has also expanded its terminal facilities. Terminal 1, with a capacity of 4.5 million passengers per year, features an eight-room business centre, a conference room, shops, restaurants, and various other amenities. Terminal 2, the newer and larger facility, has an annual capacity of 8.5 million passengers and is equipped to handle flights to all destinations. The renovation and expansion of these terminals have been undertaken with the aim of enhancing passenger capacity and improving the overall travel experience.
Today, the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the second busiest airport in France, serving as a key gateway to the Côte d'Azur region. With its two runways and three terminals, the airport handles a significant volume of air traffic, connecting passengers to destinations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport was built in the 1920s and was used by the military during World War II.
The airport was called the "California Airfield" by the people of Nice. In 1955, it was renamed "Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur".
The airport was opened to civilian traffic in 1946.
The airport has been operating international flights since the 1960s.
