Ryanair eyes French airfield - report

Ryanair and Wizz Air are among airlines interested in the possibility of turning an airfield in the Champagne region into a hub for low-cost carriers serving Paris, a spokeswoman for Vatry airport said tonight.

The airfield would provide easy access to Paris, just 39 minutes away from the nearby city of Reims by high-speed TGV rail. Local authorities have pledged to put in place a bus service that could reach the Disneyland Paris theme park to the west.

Representatives from the Irish and Hungarian budget airlines attended a presentation about plans to make Paris Vatry, an international freight cargo airport located 100 miles east of Paris, into the French capital’s low-cost airport, Christelle Riguet said.

The two low-cost carriers “are interested”, Ms Riguet said.

Paris Vatry officials said they are in talks aimed at launching operations in the coming months.

Ryanair and Wizz Air did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

In a statement, Paris Vatry said it aims to be “Paris’ Stansted”, which is a hub for some of Europe’s major low-cost carriers.

Vatry airport has capacity to receive up to 7 million passengers annually, with a recently built terminal and free car park located on 4,564 acres.

Ryanair and Wizz Air both already fly to Beauvais airport, about 50 miles north of the French capital.