Nice Côte d'Azur Airport has reached a historic milestone, welcoming 14.8 million passengers in 2024 and surpassing its previous record of 14.5 million set in 2019.
This achievement is attributed to the addition of 13 new long-haul routes, including seven to North America and six to the Gulf states. Furthermore, the airport's winter schedule now includes 76 destinations across 35 countries, operated by 41 airlines.
Balancing Growth with Sustainability Challenges
Despite this remarkable growth, the airport faces challenges related to environmental concerns and infrastructure development. Terminal 2 is undergoing an expansion to accommodate rising passenger numbers, with completion anticipated by summer 2025.
However, the project has sparked debates regarding its environmental impact and potential noise pollution.
Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, emphasizes the importance of balancing growth with sustainability: “Directly connecting the Côte d’Azur to major cities in the region and developing direct routes to international capitals is the way to responsibly meet the transport needs of the Côte d’Azur residents and all those who come to visit us. This is the challenge of sustainable and necessary air transport.”
Significant Progress in Emissions Reduction
Despite the increase in traffic, the group has made significant strides in environmental sustainability. By the end of 2024, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur had reduced emissions under its direct control by over 93%, with Nice Côte d'Azur Airport achieving a 95% reduction compared to 2013 levels. Environmental studies conducted in 2024 present a promising outlook for continued improvements.
Goldnadel highlights the collective commitment of the aviation sector to decarbonization: “Between the efforts made by the airport on its own emissions and those linked to stopover phases, and the efforts made by the entire aeronautics sector to decarbonize its operations, all stakeholders are committed to reducing the environmental impact of air transport.”
Looking ahead, the group projects an 11% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034 compared to 2024, driven by advancements in infrastructure and the adoption of lower-emission aircraft.
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