Perpignan Airport Departures (PGF)

Perpignan Airport serves areas in the south of France, and is one of the country’s smaller airports, with around 400,000 passengers per annum. The airport’s official name is the Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport, due to its close location to the communes of Rivesaltes and Perpignan, however, many refer to it as the Llabanère Airport. It is also recognised by its official IATA code of PGF. Although just a small airport, a few significant airline companies are present at the airport, and offer flights to a number of locations. The airport has both national and international flights. Perpignan departure area is well equipped for the needs of all its passengers.

In the country of France, Perpignan Airport is considered to be south of Narbonne, Beziers and Millau. Further north is Clermont-Ferrand. Avignon, Nimes and Montpellier are to the north-east of Perpignan, while Carcassonne, Castelnaudary and Toulouse are to the north-west. South of Perpignan are the smaller areas of Elne, Le Boulou and Argelès-sur-Mer, as well as the border of Spain, with the Spanish cities of Figueres and Girona nearby. Barcelona is also within driving distance of Perpignan, 165km away. Passengers on departure flights can easily reach the airport by driving their own vehicles, as there are several main roads in the vicinity, and there is a car park at the airport. The main Autoroute running past the airport and to Perpignan is the A9, and other roads of importance for airport access are the D900, D117 and D5G, which is the airport’s road. Perpignan Airport is particularly nearby Bompas, Rivesaltes and Peyrestortes, and serves many of the towns and cities in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France. This airport is also part of the popular Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Local buses take departing passengers to the airport from the Gare de Perpignan, which is the railway station of the city. The bus also stops at the main bus station a few minutes from the train station. There is no train station at the airport, therefore direct connections by rail are not possible. Taxis are another popular way to travel, and are available from all nearby areas. The cost of a taxi from Perpignan city centre to the airport is between 10 and 20 Euros.

The majority of passengers at Perpignan fly on national flights, while a smaller percentage travel internationally. The main airline companies offering departure flights include Aer Lingus, Air France, Air France operated by Brit Air, Flybe, Ryanair and Bmibaby. Flybe, Ryanair and Aer Lingus have seasonal flights to Dublin, Birmingham, Southampton and London-Stansted, and a number of flights to Paris are offered by Air France. Ryanair has scheduled flights to Charleroi as well. The European route between Perpignan and Manchester is flown by Bmibaby. The airport is served by a number of charter flights as well. In 2010, Perpignan Airport handled approximately 363,000 passengers, but in previous years, traffic was recorded at over 400,000. 2008 was one of the airport’s busiest years with just over 450,000 passengers. Although passenger traffic in 2010 was low, it is sure to increase in future years.

Passengers should ensure that they arrive in good time for their departure flight, and check-in before the desks of their airline company close, otherwise, they will not be allowed to board the plane. The desks for Ryanair flights are open two hours before the plane departs, and close forty minutes before take-off, and passengers may be required to check-in and collect their boarding pass online, from the official Ryanair website. Passengers may carry one item of hand/cabin baggage, weighing no more than 10kg, and it should be within the maximum size allowed (55cm x 40cm x 20cm). Aer Lingus passengers can check in from two and a half hours before departure for flights within the European Union, and from three and a half hours before flights to non-European Union destinations. Check-in must be completed before forty-five minutes of the plane’s departure. Online check-in may be permitted. The hand baggage limitations are the same as for Ryanair. Check-in closes for Air France flights to Paris twenty minutes before departure, and desks for Flybe open two hours before departure. Flybe passengers must check-in before thirty minutes of their flight, and may be able to use self check-in kiosks. The check-in counters for Bmibaby open two hours before the flight, and close forty minutes prior to take-off.

Passengers should note that the new regulations surrounding the carrying of liquids on board in cabin luggage apply to Perpignan Airport, therefore, ensure that all liquids carried are in separate containers of no more than 100ml each, and are in a re-sealable and transparent bag. The bag should contain a total quantity of no more than one litre. The bag should be handed separately to security personnel for inspection. No limits are placed on liquids in hold luggage, and any quantities of baby food/milk may be brought with on the plane. Special dietary requirements are the exception as well.

Perpignan departures are handled from the upper level of the single terminal building, and the facilities are found on the opposite end of the concourse to the arrival area. For all passengers, there are several airport shops, a restaurant/bar, cash machines and information desks. The airport also has a meeting room for professional travellers, and is equipped to welcome disabled passengers, with pavement ramps, elevators and suitable toilet facilities.

Further details on departure flights can be found online, or passengers can contact the airport, at +33 4 68 52 60 70.