Nice Airport inaugurates Terminal 2 extension to boost capacity to 18 million passengers
Nice Airport is unveiling its new Terminal 2 extension today, increasing capacity to 18 million passengers despite ongoing environmental concerns.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is officially unveiling its new Terminal 2 extension today, Monday 13 April 2026, in the presence of Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
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Launched in 2022, the project responds to growing pressure on the airport, which has seen passenger numbers rise from 14.4 million in 2019 to 15.1 million in 2025.
Previously operating near its limit of around 14 million passengers, the airport can now handle up to 18 million annually.
The extension adds a new 23,000 m² facility designed to improve passenger flow and overall service quality for both arrivals and departures, while strengthening Nice’s role as a key international gateway to the French Riviera.
A strategic upgrade
The new infrastructure includes six boarding gates, six pre-boarding lounges, 36 check-in counters and a modern baggage sorting system.
It is expected to accommodate up to four million additional passengers, although airport director Franck Goldnadel noted this does not necessarily mean a proportional increase in flight numbers.
The official ceremony is taking place this evening, with speeches from key figures including Franck Goldnadel, Alessandro Benetton and Nice mayor Éric Ciotti, followed by an address from the Transport Minister and a symbolic moment to mark the opening.
A growing airport
Nice Airport has experienced steady growth since its early days, handling just 30,000 passengers in 1946.
Over the decades, expansion became essential — notably with the major extension into the sea completed in 1978.
Today, it remains one of Europe’s most iconic airport approaches and continues to develop, while also positioning itself as a leader in sustainability, becoming the first airport in France to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4+ in 2021.