Nimes-Garons airport

[Pickles]

In the last few months Nimes-Garons airport has been threatened with closure, primarily because of the likelihood of the closure of the naval air base on the same site under the review that has resulted in the defence white paper. The naval air service provides fire cover and ATC services, as well as contributing to the upkeep of the runway and infrastructure, and since there's only 3 civil flights a day (all Ryanair) and the civil side is apparently supported by subventions from the Departement, the departure of the military would throw all the support costs on to the civil side (and the Sabena Technics maintenance base would also see its costs rise, possibly presaging a move away).

Although the formal announcements are yet to be made, it has been reported (Midi Libre and local internet sources) that the Maire of Nimes was contacted by the Elysée palace to reassure that the military side would not close completely, with staff remaining to undertake ATC and runway maintenance, and that some sort of training regiment would transfer there.

Regards

Pickles