What is this airport extension project?
There is currently a large empty space between terminal 1 and terminal 2. two terminals. A project that is not to the taste of certain environmental associations and residents. 20 minutes make the point.
What is this “Airport Heart” project?
By 2024, when the city of Marseille will host the Olympic Games, a huge 22,000 m² building, built between the current terminal 1 and the current terminal 2, will rise from the ground. In addition, 28,000 m² of surfaces will be rehabilitated, for a total cost estimated at 180 million euros. “You should know that terminal A is semi-independent, that is to say that it has, for example, specific security points but common boarding lounges,” explains Philippe Bernand, chairman of the management board of the airport. Baggage handling is done in the basement. Everything is to match. The idea is to centralize the filtering, check-in and baggage handling functions of Terminal 1 in a gigantic check-in hall, with, for example, 18 screening inspection posts. “
This new space, which also wants to be at the forefront of the latest environmental requirements, is also intended to accommodate commercial spaces after the broader security check than what the current infrastructure offers. “You should know that the profitability ratio of a commercial space before or after security checks ranges from one to five,” says Philippe Bernand. Before going through security, people consume little. Afterwards, they have a freer spirit. The journey has already started. “In this configuration, the current terminal 1 building only accommodates boarding lounges, according to Philippe Bernand.
What is the corn?
“This project will make it possible to completely rationalize the flow of passengers and baggage,” says Philippe Bernand, who says that certain boarding lounges are regularly “congested”. And to proclaim: “Before the significant drop in traffic linked to the Covid crisis, even if the airport was not at its full capacity for the reception of passengers, the trend was very clearly towards a deterioration in the quality of service. Thus, for example, passengers benefit from more comfort in the boarding lounges, with respect for the rules of social distancing which, it is believed, will become the norm. “
Through its projects, the airport intends to align itself with the standards of other national and international airports, and thus continue its development. As a reminder, in 2019, before the health crisis, Marseille Provence airport welcomed just over 10 million passengers. It is currently the second largest airport in the region, with 4.5 million passengers by the end of the year.
Why is it contested?
This extension project is the subject of an appeal brought before the administrative court by a group of associations, in particular environmental protection associations, which denounce a project “in defiance of the objectives of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases ”The latter, who were organizing an action on Wednesday, feared that this extension was only the first stone of a more global project to increase traffic at Marseille airport. “You can’t oversize a building if you don’t have extension projects,” says Florence Joly, spokesperson for Alternatiba Marseille. The project is therefore indeed capacitive. “We have already been flown over all day by planes,” says Patrick Borg, member of the board of directors of the association of residents of the North Cap au Nord neighborhoods. If there is a surge in traffic, it will just become unbearable! “
“The project included in a first version the construction of an on-board jetty, recognizes Philippe Bernand. This makes it possible to create around ten aircraft stations. This project is not canceled, but it has been deferred in time. It is no longer justified given the traffic that we have seen in recent months. “