Ajaccio Airport (AJA) is also known as the Ajaccio Campo dell'Oro Airport. The airport has a long history and was also used as a military base during World War II. It is located in Ajaccio just a few miles east of the harbour. There you can find lots of excellent restaurants which serve the seafood for which Corsica is so famous.
From Ajaccio Airport there are low cost flights with easyJet to London, Paris and Geneva and the national airline Air France runs a number of services to the major French cities and other European destinations like Brussels.
Ajaccio Airport Mini Guide
Isn’t Ajaccio Where Napoleon Bonaparte was Born?
Yes, you’re right and the house where he was born and grew up is now a museum dedicated to him. The city is the capital of the island of Corsica and its second largest port after Bastia. It is popular with tourists as a centre for exploring the south of the island and for the many references and memorials to Napoleon. In the Mediterranean as a whole, the city is not very old with the first references to its existence coming 1,300 years ago. The oldest parts of the city are around the citadel which was built by the Genoese on the peninsula then surrounded by housing which was for the exclusive use by them with native Corsicans banned from the fledgling city.
How can I get to Ajaccio?
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport is just over three miles from the city and takes a number of seasonal international chartered flights. EasyJet operate a seasonal scheduled flight there from Gatwick whilst Air France operates year round scheduled flights from a number of domestic airports. You can get to the city quickly and easily by local bus or taxi or by hiring a car there.
What’s the Airport Like?
The airport is modern and small but has a surprisingly good range of facilities including a shopping gallery and a café. It’s not often crowded but you can expect the inevitable queues at check in and for passport control on entry.
What can I Expect to Find When I Arrive?
You’ll have to walk from the plane to the terminal which isn’t very far and then spend a little time in the queue for passport control unless you’ve come in on a domestic flight. Once you’ve collected your luggage and passed through customs, you’ll find yourself in the small arrivals hall that is shared with departures. If you are disorientated or just need advice, there’s an airport information desk which can help, along with a tourist information bureau which can organise transfers and accommodation as well as dispensing information on places to see in the region. If you need cash there’s an ATM near the terminal exit. You’ll easily find the car hire companies if you want to hire a car or collect one you’ve pre-booked and if using the bus or a local taxi, the stops for them are right outside the terminal building.
What About on the Day of my Departure?
Once you’ve sorted out the formalities at the airport you’ve got a choice of things to do. The airport has a gallery of shops selling a variety of merchandise including paintings and prints of Corsica, clothing, souvenirs, beauty products, newspapers, magazines and books. Once you’ve finished browsing and shopping there’s a café in the central area of the terminal which serves hot and cold meals, snacks and a variety of drinks. Beyond security you’ll find a small duty free area selling the products you’d expect together with gifts from Corsica. There’s also free Wi-Fi at the airport.
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