France, known for its rich culture, iconic landmarks, and diverse landscapes, is also a hub of aviation activity. In 2023, French airports collectively handled an impressive 198.7 million passengers. Of these, 186 million traveled through airports in Metropolitan France, while 12.7 million passengers journeyed through the French Overseas Territories.
Our new infographic focuses on the 15 busiest airports in Metropolitan France, which together represented 89% of all French air passenger traffic in 2023.
The 15 Busiest Airports in Metropolitan France
- CDG Paris-Charles de Gaulle: Handling 67,421,316 passengers, CDG is France’s busiest airport and ranked 11th globally by passenger volume in 2023. It’s a major international hub connecting France to the world.
- ORY Paris-Orly: ORY served 32,294,167 passengers, making it the second busiest in France. Known for its accessibility and convenience, it’s a key hub for domestic and European travel.
- NCE Nice Côte d'Azur: With 14,189,965 passengers, Nice Airport connects the French Riviera to international destinations and is the third busiest in France.
- MRS Marseille Provence: Serving 10,800,254 passengers, Marseille Airport is a gateway to the Mediterranean and southern France.
- LYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry: Lyon’s airport handled 9,989,867 passengers, linking the Rhône-Alpes region to major European cities.
- BSL Basel-Mulhouse: Straddling the French-Swiss border, this unique airport saw 8,087,088 passengers in 2023.
- TLS Toulouse-Blagnac: The heart of the French aerospace industry, Toulouse Airport welcomed 7,804,980 passengers.
- BOD Bordeaux: Bordeaux Airport handled 6,584,194 passengers, offering easy access to France’s renowned wine region.
- NTE Nantes Atlantique: Serving 6,535,074 passengers, Nantes is a crucial gateway for western France.
- BVA Paris-Beauvais: Known for budget airlines, Beauvais Airport served 5,638,955 passengers, primarily connecting Paris to low-cost destinations.
- LIL Lille-Lesquin: Lille Airport welcomed 1,864,769 passengers, serving the northern region of France.
- MPL Montpellier Méditerranée: Montpellier Airport handled 1,753,427 passengers, offering key connections to southern France.
- AJC Ajaccio-Napoléon Bonaparte: The busiest airport on Corsica, Ajaccio served 1,610,740 passengers.
- BIA Bastia-Poretta: Another Corsican airport, Bastia welcomed 1,500,305 passengers in 2023.
- SXB Strasbourg: Strasbourg Airport handled 1,017,989 passengers, linking Alsace to major destinations.
Highlight on the French Overseas Territories
The infographic also shines a spotlight on airports in the French Overseas Territories, where La Réunion Roland Garros Airport (RUN) stands out as the busiest. Located on the beautiful island of Réunion, RUN served 2.7 million passengers in 2023, connecting the Indian Ocean region to the rest of the world.
A Snapshot of French Aviation
This infographic demonstrates the vital role airports play in connecting the regions of France to the world. Whether travelling for business or leisure, these airports are the lifelines of French aviation.
Discover More
Explore our collection of airport code merchandise at YHM Designs. Featuring designs for airports in France and worldwide, our products celebrate the joy of travel and make the perfect gift for aviation enthusiasts.
Don’t forget to share the infographic with friends and family to spread the word about France’s busiest airports!
How to Cite
Data Source: Union des aéroports français & Francophones associés. Illustration by YHM Designs.