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€2.8 billion in economic impact in 2024 for Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes-Mandelieu Airports

Certified overall impact: BDO quantified the contribution of the two platforms (Nice and Cannes-Mandelieu) at €2.8 billion in GDP in 2024. This figure marks a 31% increase compared with 2019 data. Passenger traffic over the same period increased by 3%.

Strong regional footprint. For the Sud Region, the contribution amounts to €2.2 billion of this total, equivalent to 1% of the region’s wealth creation. The 30,750 full-time equivalent jobs represent close to 2% of total regional employment. Hospitality is the leading beneficiary sector, with €610 million in GDP.

High tourist spending. Visitors arriving by air generate €3.3 billion in spending across the region. The average contribution of a commercial passenger stands at €733 per stay. A business aviation passenger spends on average 15 times more.

A structuring employment hub. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport alone accounts for 5,900 direct full-time equivalent jobs. These positions cover 160 different occupations, 74% of which are permanent contracts. Women hold 47% of these jobs.

On 13 February, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur Group released the data from the study commissioned to BDO on the economic value creation and jobs generated by the activities of Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes-Mandelieu Airports. The study reveals an impact that has increased compared with the previous study, based on 2019 data.

See below for the full details of the release:

In 2024, the activities of Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes Mandelieu airports generated a contribution of €2.8 billion to GDP and 40,800 jobs, representing increases of +31% and +8% respectively compared with 2019 on a comparable study basis, for passenger traffic growth of 3%.

For the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region alone, the contribution amounts to €2.2 billion in GDP and 30,750 full-time equivalent jobs, representing 1% of the region’s wealth and nearly 2% of its jobs.

Unsurprisingly, hospitality is the leading beneficiary sector (€610 million in GDP and 12,300 jobs), ahead of leisure (€320 million in GDP and 4,700 jobs) and airlines (€300 million in GDP and 3,100 jobs).

Highly contributive passengers

The study estimates the spending of commercial aviation visitors at €3.3 billion, of which 77% benefits the Alpes-Maritimes department and 29% is spent in Nice.

Commercial aviation passengers arriving from the Near and Middle East / North America regions represent the highest per-visitor spending levels. The average contribution of a commercial aviation traveller is estimated at €733 per stay; for a business aviation traveller, this contribution is estimated to be 15 times higher.

“By directly connecting their landlocked territory to the rest of the world, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur actively contribute to the socio-economic dynamism of the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region. The growth in jobs and GDP contribution between 2019 and 2024, well above passenger traffic growth, supports the region’s strategy in favour of high-quality tourism,” explains Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.

A major generator of local employment

For Nice Côte d’Azur Airport alone, the study estimated 5,900 full-time equivalent jobs generated on site, 74% of them on permanent contracts and 47% held by women. This represents 160 different occupations. Two thirds of these jobs are within companies employing more than 100 people.

Methodology

BDO followed an auditable impact calculation methodology in line with that of Airports Council International (ACI). This makes sectoral and international comparison of results possible. It is based on four components:

Direct impact corresponds to the activity of companies operating on site in connection with airport activity (activities of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and partner companies located at the airport).
Indirect impact corresponds to services provided by French suppliers to direct stakeholders (for example energy supply, construction and public works, etc.).
Induced impact results from the consumption spending of direct and indirect employees where they live (for example food, etc.).
Catalytic impact results from the spending of non-resident passengers in the region and outside the airport site (for example hotels, restaurants, leisure activities, etc.).

Source: Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur