Albert-Picardie : introduction
Albert-Picardie Airport, also known as Albert-Bray or Albert-Méaulte airfield, is open to public air traffic. It is dedicated to business aviation and specialised charters, although its primary commercial vocation is to host the Beluga cargo aircraft.
Located in Picardy in the commune of Méaulte (Somme), 4.9 km south-east of Albert, you can take advantage of a service offer for companies, works councils and associations with the creation of tailor-made flights. It can accommodate all types of private jet as well as Airbus cargo aircraft.
AEROAFFAIRES tells you everything you need to know about organising your flight from Albert-Picardie Airport.
History of Albert-Picardie Airport
- 1916 : installation of an airfield at “Croix Comtesse” to the west of the current runway. This airfield hosts several French reconnaissance and bombing squadrons who take part in the Battle of the Somme.
- 1924 : the aircraft manufacturer, Henri Potez, decides to set up in the region. The private airfield of Albert-Méaulte is built near the factory to serve as a test area for the aircraft built there.
- 1939 : plans to reactivate the 1916 airfield are considered in order to allow the Air Force to use the site as a “loosening” airfield.
- 1940 : the German offensive did not allow them to be reactivated. During the occupation, the site was not used but the factory was required to participate in the war effort.
- 1940-1944 : the factory is bombed eleven times. After the liberation, the factory is restored to its original state in order to resume production.
- 1945-1947 : a new runway is built to the east of “Croix Comtesse”, with a taxiway leading directly to the factory. This new platform is named Albert-Bray.
- 2007 : the runway is extended in order to link the factory to other aeronautical production centres in the framework of European cooperation. The Albert-Bray site is also opened to civil traffic and becomes the Albert-Picardie airport.
