The Regional Chamber of Accounts of Brittany has released a survey on the French and Breton airport network, revealing the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the industry. The survey highlights that only Brest and Rennes airports have managed to maintain a predominant commercial activity with regular lines, while the landscape of the airport network in the region is undergoing significant changes.
In 2019, Brittany had five airports with more than 10,000 passengers. However, the current situation is different, as Saint Brieuc, Valves, Morlaix, and Lannion airports have seen a decline in passenger numbers. Lorient airport has virtually no commercial activity, while Dinard airport mainly focuses on maintenance activities. The cost of the line to Orly from Quimper is no longer financially sustainable, raising concerns about its commercial future.
After the Covid-19 crisis, Brest and Rennes airports remain the only ones with significant commercial activity in Brittany. These two airports accounted for 98% of passengers who embarked from the region last year. However, neither airport has fully recovered to its pre-pandemic level, and both still have less than one million passengers.
The health crisis has accelerated the reorganization of the Air France group, particularly on its domestic routes. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have also led to changes in travel practices, such as the development of telework and videoconferencing. Additionally, there is a growing ecological awareness, with the Court of Auditors highlighting that emissions per passenger on an Orly-Brest flight are 34 times higher than the same journey made by train.
The funding of airports is another significant concern, as they are mostly owned by the Brittany region, except for Lorient. European regulations require airports to cover their operating costs without relying on public aid by 2027. However, the Regional Chamber of Accounts states that this seems impossible for airports with fewer than 700,000 passengers per year.
To put Breton traffic into perspective, it is worth noting that 25% of Nantes Airport passengers come from Brittany. Nantes-Atlantique airport alone carries four times more passengers than all of Brittany’s airports combined.
The survey sheds light on the challenges faced by the airport network in Brittany after the Covid-19 crisis. It emphasizes the need for reorganization, sustainable practices, and financial viability to ensure the future of the region’s airports.
How has the Covid-19 crisis specifically impacted the operations of Lorient airport in Brittany?
T has been particularly affected and is now facing a precarious situation.
The Covid-19 crisis has resulted in a sharp decrease in air traffic, with many flight cancellations and travel restrictions. This has had a severe impact on the regional airport network in Brittany, with passenger numbers taking a nosedive.
The survey reveals that Brest and Rennes airports have fared relatively better than their counterparts in the region. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these airports have managed to maintain a significant level of commercial activity with regular flights.
On the other hand, the smaller airports in Saint Brieuc, Valves, Morlaix, and Lannion have experienced a decline in passenger numbers. These airports, which used to attract more than 10,000 passengers before the crisis, are now struggling to sustain their operations.
Among the affected airports, Lorient is facing an especially challenging situation. The survey highlights the precarious conditions faced by Lorient airport as it grapples with the fallout of the pandemic.
The Regional Chamber of Accounts of Brittany’s survey sheds light on the significant changes that the airport network in the region is currently undergoing. As the industry continues to grapple with the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, it is clear that the landscape of the airport network in Brittany is being drastically reshaped.
It’s disheartening to see the impact of the Covid crisis on Brittany’s commercial airports. Brest and Rennes have weathered the storm, but it emphasizes the need for support and recovery strategies for the aviation industry in the region.
It is worrying to see the impact of the Covid crisis on the commercial airports in Brittany. With Brest and Rennes being the only ones left, it highlights the need for support and recovery measures to ensure the viability of these crucial transport infrastructure in the region.