100 years of Cannes Airport

The sixth Cannes Air Show
being held between 7-9 June 2012, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cannes-Mandelieu
International Airport. To mark the occasion, several special activities are
planned, including a photographic presentation tracing the history of aviation
and air shows.

The current airport saw its
origins in a major air show which hosted 50,000 spectators and proved to be the
launch pad for the development of the airport in June 1911. Following on from
this in 1930, Paul Tarascon, the French aviation hero, invested the equivalent
of several million euros to build the first airport on the French Riviera.

Cannes-Mandelieu Airport is
now the second most frequented business airport in France
and among the most frequented in Europe with
over 70,000 movements per year.

On this occasion, the
event’s regular exhibitors have all confirmed their participation. Cessna,
Cirrus, Hawker Beechcraft, Embraer, Pilatus, Mooney, Daher Socata, Tecnam, Bose
and many others have chosen to mark the only general aviation event in southern
Europe on their calendars.

“There is nearly a 15%
increase in participation this year compared to the 2011 show. Despite the
economic crisis, the Cannes Air Show remains a ‘can’t miss’ event for general
aviation in Southern Europe,” said Didier
Mary, director of the air show.