location logistic air_freight invest living jobs
  LIVE IN & AROUND VATRY
General Council of Marne Project initiator

Vatry International Airport was launched as a development project in 1992 by the General Council of Marne and commissioned with the challenging mandate of serving as an interface for various modes of transport. Vatry International Airport has succeeded in positioning itself as the solution of choice for rapid growth in logistics and, more specifically, for international cargo traffic.
Thirty months of work were required to see the completion of the building site begun in 1997, from excavation to construction of the control tower and installation of aeronautical equipment. As owner of and contracting authority for the project, the General Council of Marne remains firmly committed to the development of Vatry International Airport.

Regional backing for the project includes:

• Regional Council of Champagne-Ardenne, which financed flight navigation systems
• Châlons-en-Champagne Urban Community, which financed the cargo terminal
• Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Reims, Épernay, Châlons-en-Champagne and Troyes
• Employment and training institutions (National Employment Agency of France (ANPE) and local universities)

Bold financing

To finance the airport complex, which required investment in excess of euros 150 million, the General Council floated a bond in the amount of euros 30.5 million in October 1998, with 30% reserved for regional investors.
Several regional financial institutions joined in this innovative project managed by CDC MARCHES.

These institutions included as follows:
SNVB, Caisse d’Épargne, Crédit Agricole Nord-Est, Banque Populaire de Champagne and the Public Revenue Office.
Several key dates:
  • >1967
    American forces abandon the former NATO military base.
  • >1970s
    Terminal built for air taxi and charter services by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Châlons- en Champagne.
  • >1992
    Project launched and SEM set up.
  • >1998
    In August, Air Liquide Welding becomes the first company to set up in the business park.
    In December, the service protocol assigning operating authority to SEVE is signed.
  • >1999
    In December, work on infrastructure is completed.
  • >2000
    On 31 March, airport operations are launched under the authority of SEVE