The Walled City: Examining Carcassonne Airport’s Various Routes Over the Years

Situated between Toulouse and Narbonne in France, Carcassonne is renowned for its stunning walled fortress, the Cité de Carcassonne. This historic citadel attracts tourists from around the world, many of whom arrive via the city's small airport, Carcassonne Airport (CCF). Over the years, this airport has seen a variety of routes, adapting to the changing demands of travelers.

The Airport in a Nutshell

Carcassonne is a relatively small city with a population of 46,218 as of 2021, according to France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. Unlike larger cities, Carcassonne benefits from having its airport just three kilometers from the city center. Recent reports indicate a rise in passenger traffic, with numbers increasing from 250,000 in 2022 to 340,000 in 2023. Although these figures are below the peak of over 450,000 passengers in 2009, the airport's recent renovations and new passenger lounges are expected to boost these numbers further in the coming years.

This Year's Offering

In 2024, Carcassonne Airport's route network is dominated by Ryanair, which operates all 2,052 flights from the facility this year. These flights offer 390,784 seats and cover 250,470,980 available seat miles (ASMs). Most routes connect Carcassonne with various European destinations, while a limited intercontinental route to Tangier Airport (TNG) in Morocco operates seasonally from May to October.

Many of Ryanair's routes from Carcassonne are seasonal, reflecting higher tourism demand during the summer. These include destinations such as Bournemouth, Cagliari, Cork, Dublin, East Midlands, and Porto. The airport also has three year-round routes: Brussels South Charleroi Airport, London Stansted Airport, and Manchester Airport.

Ryanair's Gradual Expansion

Carcassonne Airport's route portfolio has evolved significantly over the past two decades. In 2004, Ryanair offered similar capacity with just two routes: Stansted and Charleroi. By 2005, Dublin was added, followed by East Midlands, Liverpool, and Shannon in 2006. The network continued to grow, with Cork added in 2008 and Bournemouth, Frankfurt Hahn, and Edinburgh in 2009.

Although some routes were removed in 2010, new ones like Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds Bradford, and Porto were introduced. The following years saw further additions, including Billund, Eindhoven, and a domestic route to Paris Beauvais in 2012.

Other Carriers' Operations

Ryanair's monopoly was eventually challenged in 2015 when Iberia's regional brand, Air Nostrum, operated 10 round trips from Alicante. This increased to 12 in 2016, though capacity remained low. In 2017, a brief connection to Oran in Algeria was offered by Atlas Atlantique Airlines, marking another attempt to diversify the airport's airline portfolio.

Future Prospects

With Carcassonne Airport continuing to upgrade its facilities and explore new routes, it is poised for further growth. The addition of new airlines and destinations in the future will likely attract even more tourists to the historic city, enhancing its appeal as a travel destination.