Le Bourget Airport, officially Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget, is located just north of Paris, France. It’s a fascinating place with a rich history, having served as Paris’s main airport for several years before eventually transitioning to its current role.
Once the primary airport serving Paris, Le Bourget now primarily serves general aviation, including business jet operations. It also holds a special place in history as the host of the prestigious Paris Air Show. The airport is managed by Groupe ADP, operating under the brand Paris Aéroport.
A Legacy of Aviation Milestones
Le Bourget’s story began in 1919, making it Paris’s sole airport until Orly Airport opened in 1932. It’s become a landmark in aviation history for several reasons.
Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator, landed his Spirit of St. Louis at Le Bourget in 1927, concluding his historic solo transatlantic flight. This event cemented Le Bourget’s place in aviation history.
Just two weeks before Lindbergh’s flight, a French biplane called L’Oiseau Blanc took off from Le Bourget in an attempt to cross the Atlantic, but mysteriously disappeared.
Howard Hughes, another legendary aviator, landed at Le Bourget in 1939 after completing a nonstop flight from New York to Paris. He then continued his journey to Moscow.
A Place of Significance Beyond Aviation
Le Bourget’s importance extends beyond the world of aviation. In 1940, Adolf Hitler began his only visit to Paris from Le Bourget Airport, accompanied by Albert Speer and his entourage.
In 1952, Air France moved all of its operations to Orly Airport due to Le Bourget’s limited capacity.
The Evolution of Le Bourget: From Commercial Hub to Aviation Center
Despite the shift in operations, Le Bourget remained significant. The Paris Air Show, which had been held at other locations previously, was first held at Le Bourget in 1953.
1958 saw another landmark moment: Pan Am’s Boeing 707 completed the first jet-powered transcontinental flight from New York to Le Bourget, marking a pivotal moment in air travel.
1961 brought yet another historic event: Rudolf Nureyev, a renowned Soviet ballet dancer, defected at Le Bourget Airport.
A Modern Legacy: Preserving History and Serving Business Aviation
In 1977, Le Bourget closed to international airline traffic, followed by regional airline traffic in 1980. However, it continued to serve domestic and international business aviation.
The Musée de l’air et de l’espace, France’s prominent aviation museum, found a home at Le Bourget in 1975. Since commercial flights ceased, the museum has expanded its collection and displays.
Today, Le Bourget stands as a tribute to aviation history. It features memorials to pioneers like Raymonde de Laroche (the first woman to earn a pilot’s license), Charles Lindbergh, and the pilots of L’Oiseau Blanc.
The airport is also home to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA), the French aviation safety investigation agency.
Le Bourget’s connection to aviation continues to thrive through the Paris Air Show, and its nickname, “The Teterboro of Europe”, underscores its role in accommodating business aviation flying into Paris.
From its humble beginnings as a small airfield to its transformation into a significant hub for business aviation and a repository of aviation history, Le Bourget Airport has witnessed and shaped the evolution of air travel. It remains a testament to the power of aviation and its profound impact on the world.
