Poitiers Airport Arrivals (PIS)

Poitiers Airport is found just outside the city of Poitiers, and provides a gateway to this city and to many other towns nearby in the Vienne department of France. Although only a small French airport, Poitiers is located in an important position, nearby several prominent cities of the country. The airport is often referred to as the Poitiers-Biard Airport, as it lies in the town of Biard, and can be found by searching for the airport code of PIS. Passengers on Poitiers Airport arrival flights will find the terminal to be adequate for their needs and that a few forms of transport are available from the airport. A few airline companies serve the airport, flying from several local and international destinations.

The two main airline carriers at Poitiers Airport are Ryanair and Airlinair. Airlinair handles the domestic flights of the airport, with the national route between Poitiers and Lyon, and is a partner of the well known company of Air France. Air France is one of the largest airline carriers in the world, and is present at the majority of French airports. Passengers can fly to Poitiers from Lyon throughout the year, and there are usually several flights a week available. Ryanair is a low-cost airline carrier which has boosted traffic at many smaller airports since the arrival of budget airliners, and plays an important role in international traffic at Poitiers Airport. The main European route served by Ryanair flies from Poitiers to the London-Stansted Airport in the United Kingdom. Other possible routes involving this airport are from Edinburgh and Barcelona by Ryanair, and from Ajaccio by Airlinair. Most of the flights mentioned are seasonal, and the majority of the airport passengers are recorded to fly on international flights.

Poitiers Airport handles around a hundred thousand passengers or more every year. In 2010 its passenger traffic was recorded at approximately 114,000, but the airport’s busiest year was 2006, with just over 135,000 passengers. Many French airports have seen a decrease in passenger traffic over the last few years, but perhaps in the future Poitiers Airport will be able to maintain a larger number of passengers.

The Poitiers Airport arrival hall is found on the ground floor of the single terminal building, and has facilities for the collection of baggage, customs and passport control proceedings. The current terminal building of the airport was built in 2002, and is therefore relatively new and modern. It replaced the older passenger terminal, and covers a total surface area of 1,400 square metres. In the main part of the building, there are cash machines, travel agents, car hire companies and airport shops, and on the first floor of the Rotunda there is the airport’s restaurant, known as the L’Oree du Ciel. The facilities of the airport are all within easy walking distance, and are accessible to disabled passengers, as there are elevators, clear walkways, pavement ramps and suitable toilet facilities. Wheelchairs are also available from the information desk. Arriving passengers who are in need of further assistance can contact their airline company in advance of their flight to Poitiers Airport.

Arriving passengers, especially tourists or visitors, often need some form of transport from an airport, and from Poitiers Airport, buses and taxis are available, but there is no train station on the airport grounds. The airport buses take passengers to the Gare de Poitiers, or the Poitiers Train Station just a few kilometres away, and operate in accordance to the schedule of the Ryanair flights. The buses leave approximately half an hour after each flight arrival. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver for five Euro, and the trip to the train station will take just ten minutes. From here, passengers have access to a wide variety of train services, the local buses of the city, and are nearby to the town centre. The taxi rank is found just outside of the airport arrival area, and there are usually taxis available. To the city by taxi will cost between ten and twenty Euro, depending on your destination.

There are many hotels available in Poitiers should you be staying for a while in the city. Some nearby the city centre include the Grand Hotel, Au Chapon Fin, Hotel Central, Hotel Continental, Hotel de l’Europe, the Ibis Centre, the Hotel Terminus and the Modern’Hôtel. Perhaps find out from your place of accommodation if they provide transport to and from the airport, as many establishments, especially the larger hotel chains, offer complimentary transport solutions. Their services will need to be arranged in advance of your arrival.

One of the best forms of transport is a rented car from the Poitiers Airport car hire companies. Those available at this airport location are Hertz, Avis, National, Alamo, Europcar, Easycar and Auto Europa, all of which are internationally recognised companies able to provide competitive car rental rates. Several main roads surround the airport, and a car is useful for driving in the city and for travelling to the many nearby towns and cities. From nearby the airport the A10 runs north towards Châtellerault and Tours, and south-west to Niort. A little further past Niort is also La Rochelle, a popular seaside area of western France. The N10 heads south to Angoulême, and the N147 takes motorists to Bellac and Limoges. Many of the areas nearby to Poitiers are worth a visit, and a rented car can easily allow you to fully explore their attractions.

Live Poitiers Airport arrivals can be viewed online, or passengers can contact the airport for further information, at +33 (0)5 49 30 04 40.