Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
Nice Cote d’Azur Airport has the official airport code of NCE, and is situated just 7km/4 miles from the city of Nice. It is on the Mediterranean coastline, close to the famous Promenade des Anglais boardwalk (La Prom). The airport serves as a major gateway to the Alpes-Maritimes region, and is a popular arrival point during the summer months for holidaymakers.
Nice Airport is noted as the third most important airport in France, with only Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Paris Orly Airport as it’s precedents. Over 10 million passengers pass through Nice Airport every year. The airport also boasts a helicopter service that links the city and the airport. The busiest times of airport operation are between April and October.
The total land area covered by the airport is over 3.70 square kilometers. 1 square kilometer is covered by the two terminal buildings and the freight terminal. The two parallel runways in operation cover 2.70 square kilometers. The South runway and the North runway are both equipped with a full axial Instrumental Landing System. Take-offs during the day, and both landings and take-offs during the night, are handled by the South runway. The North runway is used for landings during the day. The airport does not close at night, but only 2% of flights operate between the hours of 11pm and 6am.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 make up the passenger buildings at Nice Airport. A free shuttle bus provides transportation between them and to the car parks. Terminal 1 covers and area of 52,000 square meters and has a capacity of 4.5 million passengers. There are 25 gates with National, Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
Terminal 2 is the larger of the terminal buildings, covering an area of 57,800 square meters. This terminal also handles domestic and international flights, and has 27 gates. Terminal 2 is designed for the passing passenger traffic of 8.5 million per year. From this terminal, operate the two most noteworthy airlines at the airport, Air France and easyJet.
The freight terminal at Nice Airport has a capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year.
Nice Cote d’Azur Airport began it’s operations in the late 1920’s. Nice itself has an impressive aviation history dating back to the early 1900’s. In 1910 there was a huge air show that took place at the Nice hippodrome. Nice Airport was used by the military and Air Force during World War II. From 1944 onwards began much expansion at the airport, starting with a new hard-surface runway. Flights between Nice and Paris quickly become popular, and by 1972 passenger numbers had increased to 2 million. At this time the existing terminal was improved and expanded, and the runway was lengthened. Terminal 2 was built in 1987.
Nice Airport is managed and operated by the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The airport aligns it’s quality processes with the EFQM reference frame (European Foundation of Quality Management), as well as the latest version of the ISO 9000.
The terminals at the airport are well equipped with all the essential amenities required by passengers. There are the financial services of Bank Crédit Lyonnais and Banque Populaire Cote d’Azur, as well as currency exchange services and ATMs throughout the airport. Facilities include a post office, pharmacies, a vaccination center, business and conference center and many shops and restaurants.
The airport has adequate car parking and transportation options. 28 bus routes to 135 destinations are available, and there are taxi ranks at both terminals.
Passengers arriving at Nice Airport will experience the mild temperate climate of the region, with warm summers. Temperatures average about 26 degrees Celsius between June and August.