Marseille Provence Airport
Marseille Provence Airport is a dynamic and growing international hub that serves as the main gateway to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, one of the most visited areas in France. Located just 25 kilometres from Marseille’s vibrant city centre, Marseille Airport is among the five largest in France, attracting both business and leisure travellers from around the world. Its prime location offers easy access to stunning destinations like the French Riviera, the lavender fields of Provence, and historic cities such as Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.
The airport stands out for its modern facilities and commitment to sustainability. Recent investments led to the opening of an extended and overhauled Terminal 1 in the summer of 2024, enhancing capacity and passenger comfort.
Marseille Airport now welcomes over 10 million passengers annually and is well-connected with a number of destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and most recently Far East Asia.
In 2024, Marseille became only the second airport outside of Paris to boast nonstop flights to China, operated by China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai, while in November Transavia France introduced operations to Dubai, linking the city to the Gulf. Growth at Marseille Airport will continue in 2025, with new routes to include Athens and Cairo, both operated by Transavia France.
As a hub for both full-service and low-cost airlines, including Air France, Ryanair, and easyJet, Marseille Airport offers competitive options for all types of travellers. Ryanair is the airport’s largest airline, followed by Air France, Air Corsica, Volotea and Air Algerie.
New York City is the airport’s busiest unserved route. Marseille is the largest unserved market from the Big Apple to France and the second in Western Europe. Cargo is also an important part of Marseille’s business and is France’s busiest regional airport for freight.
Tourism Board Info
Marseille Provence is an ideal destination for airline route developers seeking to tap into the vibrant tourism market of southern France. As the second-largest city in France and one of the oldest in Europe, Marseille combines rich history, cultural diversity, and a Mediterranean coastline, making it a highly attractive location for both leisure and business travelers.
The city’s main attraction is its historical Vieux-Port (Old Port), which dates back to 600 BC and is now bustling with seafood restaurants, local markets, and boat excursions. Iconic landmarks such as the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and the MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations) draw history and art enthusiasts from around the world. Marseille’s cultural offerings are further enhanced by its designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2013, which catalyzed the development of museums, theaters, and cultural spaces that continue to attract visitors.
Marseille is also a gateway to the picturesque region of Provence, famous for lavender fields, vineyards, and charming villages like Aix-en-Provence. Nearby natural attractions, including the Calanques National Park, offer stunning limestone cliffs and clear blue waters, making it popular with hikers, beachgoers, and nature enthusiasts.
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is strategically located just 25 kilometers from the city center and serves as a major hub for the Mediterranean region, offering extensive connections to destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The airport caters to both legacy and low-cost carriers, providing flexibility for a variety of travelers.
For route developers, Marseille represents strong potential in several market segments, including cultural tourism, business travel, and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) traffic, particularly with connections to North Africa. With Marseille’s year-round appeal and growing demand, adding or increasing services to Marseille Provence Airport offers a valuable opportunity to capture a share of southern France’s thriving tourism and business travel market.
