Nice Côte d’Azur Airport ended 2025 with record passenger numbers whilst completing a major terminal extension and achieving the highest environmental certification available to airports worldwide.
According to figures released this week, the airport handled 15.23 million commercial passengers in 2025, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024, whilst simultaneously completing the largest phase of its Terminal 2 expansion and becoming the first French airport in its category to obtain Level 5 Airport Carbon Accreditation.
The passenger growth resulted in a smaller 1.9% increase in commercial aircraft movements, which totalled 163,052, confirming the impact of filling higher-capacity aircraft with more passengers — a key environmental efficiency measure.
International growth drives performance
The performance reflects the attractiveness of a region whose economic and international reputation continues to drive airport traffic despite being geographically isolated from the rest of France.
International traffic increased by 4.7% year-on-year, whilst domestic traffic declined slightly by 0.3%. Regular long-haul passenger traffic grew by 5.8% in 2025, thanks particularly to the opening of a new route to Washington in summer and another to Dakar in winter 2024/2025.
Business aviation across Nice Côte d’Azur, Cannes Mandelieu and Golfe de Saint-Tropez airports saw a 4% increase in aircraft movements, reflecting the region’s continued appeal to private jet travellers.
Terminal extension nears completion
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport managed to handle record passenger traffic whilst completing a major project—the extension of Terminal 2. In spring 2025, the first phase was delivered, featuring a new enlarged passport control area for departures, an enlarged and refurbished non-Schengen departure lounge, a new shop, two new restaurants and a renovated VIP lounge.
By the 2026 peak season, the pier and its six new departure and arrival lounges will be operational, along with the new check-in hall and its baggage handling system for both arrivals and departures.
To give passengers a new perspective on the airport, a monumental work by Nice artist César Malfi has been created on a hangar adjacent to the extension. Depicting Psyche flying away in the arms of Love, it welcomes travellers and invites them to enjoy a moment of peace and serenity.
Environmental leadership
As part of its environmental policy, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur has continued its decarbonisation efforts in line with commitments made in 2020. Nice Airport has become the first French airport in its category to obtain Level 5 Airport Carbon Accreditation—the highest and most demanding level.
Five years ahead of its commitment to achieve net zero emissions, the airport has joined the exclusive club of just 4% of airports worldwide committed to this programme that have achieved its highest level of requirements.
The accreditation confirms the airport has not only reduced emissions under its control by at least 90% but has also drawn up and implemented a roadmap for decarbonising its entire value chain, including emissions from aircraft in half-cruise.
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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti