Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (BOD)

Bordeaux Airport is located in France, and is situated only 10 km (6 miles) to the west of the city. It is also known as Bordeaux Mérignac, as its location is nearby the town of Mérignac. It is considered to be within the department of Gironde, and is also close to Le Haillan, Passac and Saint-Aubin. The official IATA code is BOD, and its ICAO code is LFBD.

The address is Cédex 40, 33700 Mérignac, France. The telephone number is +33 (0)5 5634 5050, and fax number is +33 (0)5 5634 2301. The official website address is www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr.

Bordeaux International Airport serves a large selection of destinations, with the majority of them from the airlines of Air France and easyJet. Air France has regular flights to areas which include Amsterdam, Paris Orly, Rome, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bastia, Ajaccio and Nantes. EasyJet serves the destinations of Bristol, Liverpool, Londres Gatwick, Lyon and Milan, amongst others. Other airlines include Aerlingus, flying to Dubin, Air Algerie, flying to Alger and Oran, Chalair with flights to Brest and Rennes, Bmibaby, flying to Manchester and Climber Sterling with flights to Copenhague. Departing passengers mainly come from Aquitaine and the Greater Southwest areas.

The airport has steadily increased its annual number of passengers over the past years. In 2005 reached just over the three million passengers per year mark, and had increased that to almost three and a half million by 2007. 2008 received over three and half million passengers. In France, it is ranked as the 6th busiest as a destination for passengers. The airport also receives a multitude of tourists wanting to enter the Bordeaux-Mérignac region. Bordeaux is not only busy as a passenger destination, but in terms of freight as well. 2004 started off with 28,774 tons, and this number grew to 35,193 tons by 2007. 2009 did not quite achieve these high numbers, and settled at 25,375 tons.

Bordeaux Airport consists of one terminal building, with areas of Hall A and Hall B. These two halls are joined by a covered walkway. A new terminal is planned for completion in 2010. The current terminal is L-shaped, and has multiple levels. The area for arrivals is located on the lower levels, while departures are handled from the upper levels. The airport has two runways, which both have asphalt surfaces. Runway 05/23 is the longer of the two at a length of 3,100 meters. Runway 11/29 is 2,415 meters long.

Mérignac has a long history, dating back to 1917. The military used it as a training center and as a bombing base, while during Word War II it was used as a center for maritime reconnaissance under the control of the German Luftwaffe. It was also attacked by the United States Army Air Force 8th Air Force and the Royal Air Force in 1943. Once World War II had faded, the French Air Force returned to use the facility. NATO took control of it in 1951 and constructed a modern air base that could be used for jet aircraft. For some time, starting on the 1st of October, 1958, the airport was closed for the reason of reducing USAFE expenses and manpower. Its operations continued at the NATO Chateauroux-Deols Air Base, located in central France. For a few years the United States Army controlled a logistics facility, but finally, in 1961, it was returned to French control.

Amidst many other amenities, Airport at Bordeaux has a VIP Lounge called the Patio. This lounge is run by Air France, and is located in Terminal Hall A on the departures level. It is open every day of the week, between the hours of 05:30 and 22:30. Facilities of the VIP Lounge include internet and Wi-Fi connections, free newspapers, air conditioning, refreshments, television and the use of telephones. The Patio is only for flying passengers, and usage of the area is limited to three hours. Children under two years of age are allowed to enter at no extra charges. Cardholders should notify the Hall A Check-in staff of their arrival before continuing to the Patio.

Business travelers can also book a conference room at the airport. Its Business Center is open from 08:00 to 18:00 every day. The airport has a large Modular seminar and conference room, which has a capacity to seat up to 180 people. Various equipment can be used for meetings, such as a video projector, overhead projector, screen, HF microphones and sound system. Smaller meeting rooms are available as well, and these can accommodate up to eight people. Services when booking a meeting room at BOD include free parking and wireless internet access, and catering can be provided if requested. Mineral water is available on the tables.

Airport of Bordeaux is a well established and modern facility which is positioned in a strategic location for businesses as well. The shops in terminals are visited by five million people each year. It is one of Aquitaine’s major economic centers. The airport boasts a large number of over 7,000 employees, and directly houses more than 100 companies and public establishments. Its turnover for 2009 was €49 million.

More information can be obtained from the information desks located in both Hall A and Hall B of the terminal, and within the departures area of Terminal Hall B.