Impossible to miss them from Sabias beach or Vieilles beach, tourist planes pass by all day on the Ile d’Yeu during the summer period. “We have on average 100 movements per day during the summer”, indicates Jean-Philippe Auneau, the person in charge of the management of the aerodrome of the Island of Yeu at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vendée (CCI). A movement corresponds to a landing or a take-off. In five years, a 14% increase in air traffic has been observed.
daily traffic
According to the figures of the CCI of Vendée, manager of the aerodrome, it is a rather daily traffic. Most planes land in the morning, then park on one of the 70 seatsand leave at the end of the day. “It is particularly popular in France, because of its idyllic environment at the edge of the ocean and the cliffsexplains Jean-Philippe Auneau. There are not many lands that can offer this type of setting, because when you pose on the Île d’Yeu it feels like you’re landing on an aircraft carrier with the ocean in view all around.”
A major tourist aspect for the island of just over 23km². For example, it is possible to take off from La Roche-sur-Yon to reach Île d’Yeu in just 30 minutes. But only “a population that has the means” is affected by his journeys. “I am very happy to see the frequentation of the aerodrome, because it is also a link in the chain of the economic and tourist development of the Island”says Jean-Philippe Auneau.
A “public service”
“It also participated in opening up the Island, that’s where it’s important, expands the handler. For example, Oya Vendée helicopters is responsible for transport of mail, parcels, medicines, and which also allows the medical transport of the sick to hospitals on the continent.” A major challenge for a place accessible mainly by boat by shuttles.
A leisure aspect, but also a major function for the inhabitants. “There is this public service role in the function of an aerodrome”, raises Jean-Philippe Auneau. At the same time, 70% of flights between Île d’Yeu and the mainland are made from April 1 to September 30, a sign that air traffic attracts during school holidays.