5 reasons why Angouleme doesn’t need a commercial airport

The shameful withdrawal of Ryanair from Angoulême-Cognac airport, and the calamitous attempt to re-establish a link with London via Cityline Swiss, has left local expats fuming, and local officials pondering a future without a commercial airport.  But why is it so important for Charente to have the services of a budget airline and a link with London?

Here are 5 reasons why Charente doesn’t need to waste millions of euros on lining the pockets of airline shareholders:

1. There are other airports nearby - With the hugely successful Limoges Bellegarde airport 1 hour 20 mins to the east, and Poitiers Biard airport 1 hour 20 mins to the north, there are a sufficient range of flights to the UK available within a reasonable travelling time.  Throw in Bordeaux airport at 2 hours away and there are a huge number of choices available to commuters and holidaymakers alike.

2. The future is rail - With TGV connections already stopping off at Angoulême and Ruffec, Charente is already well connected, and the new LGV Sud Europe Atlantique will put Angouleme under two hours from Paris.  TGV is a great way to travel, and you can get to just about anywhere in the world from Charles de Gaulle airport, accessed directly by TGV.  The Bordeaux to Angoulême stretch of line is due in service from 2013, and the link north to Tours and Paris from 2016.

3. There aren’t enough passengers to go around - Like it or not, any new service will have to compete with other airports for the same passengers.  Whilst services from places like Limoges are well used and established, any drop in passenger numbers would surely have an adverse impact on future services.  Spreading business across too many airports may mean none of the routes are viable in future.

4. Many Brits prefer to travel by road - The risks of travelling by air have been cruelly exposed by volcanic ash, industrial action and the vagaries of the weather over recent months, and the security process following terrorist attacks has left the whole experience a nightmare.  Throw into the mix travelling with children and luggage, and I can’t think of a worse start to a holiday.  Instead, many opt to take a relaxed ferry crossing, and a pleasant drive along un-crowded roads down to rural Charente.

5. We love Charente as it is - So what if it takes half an hour more to get to your destination in Charente from an airport.  It is worth it when you get there.  Charente has exceptional rural beauty, and sometimes the least accessible places are the best ones to visit.  If you want to be near to an airport, take a city break.  If you want a relaxing break, with clean air, sunshine and Pineau des Charentes, look no further than Charente.

For me, Michel Boutant and fellow airport financiers have done the right thing in safeguarding public money that can be much better invested in more worthwhile local projects.  There really is no need to break the bank for commercial air services, when the investment needed far outweighs the benefit to the local economy.

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