Châteauroux-Centre Marcel Dassault Airport, formerly Châteauroux-Déols “Marcel Dassault” Airport, is an airport serving the city of Châteauroux, France. The airport is located 5.5 km north-northeast of Châteauroux in Déols, a commune in the Indre department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The airport is named after Marcel Dassault, a French engineer and industrialist who spent his career in aircraft manufacturing. The airport is located on the site of the former Châteauroux-Déols Air Base. It is dedicated to air transportation, aviation maintenance, pilot training and the training of airport firefighters.
The port, used for domestic and private jet flights, is located 161 m above mean sea level. The airport has an asphalt runway measuring 3,500 x 45 meters. The airport is used by both passenger and cargo aircraft.
France private jet charter prices
Although Marcel Dassault Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Châteauroux are as follows.
| Light Jet | 17.550 EUR |
| Midsize Jet | 21.850 EUR |
| Heavy Jet | 32.350 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
History of Châteauroux-Centre Marcel Dassault
The origins of the airport date back to the late 1920s, when civil air traffic began in Châteauroux-Centre. Marcel Dassault built his first aircraft factory here in 1935/1936, producing sections for German aircraft types during the Second World War, following France’s defeat in the Western campaign.
In March 1944, Châteauroux was the location of the personnel and two squadrons of the 1st Group of the 103rd Fighter Wing (S. and I./JG 103). From mid-March 1944 until the beginning of the Allied landings in Normandy, the 2nd Squadron of the 105th Fighter Wing (2./JG 105) was based there. Finally, after the start of the invasion, Ju 88C of the 2nd Squadron of Destroyer Squadron 1 (2nd/ZG 1) was stationed at Châteauroux from mid-June to mid-July 1944. After the liberation of the area, the Forces aériennes françaises libres used it as a bomber base.
After the war, the airfield was initially no longer used for military purposes and aircraft construction. With the outbreak of the Cold War, an air base for the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) was established here, which remained in place until 1967, when France left the NATO military organization. The airfield housed the largest warehouse for the USAFE and NATO. The USAF established a permanent “air bridge” between Châteauroux and Dover AFB.
In 1978, Châteauroux hosted the World Glider Championships, which Helmut Reichmann won in the 15 m class with Akaflieg Braunschweig’s SB 11. Other winners were Baer Selen (Netherlands) in the Standard class and George Lee in the Open class.
After the Americans left, Châteauroux was developed as a civilian airport and many buildings were rebuilt, including a general aviation and aircraft maintenance center.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline British Airways parked a large part of its A380 fleet at Chateauroux in the summer of 2020. Since April 2021, the airport is also temporarily used for military purposes. Due to planned construction work on the runway at their main base, Base aérienne 702 in Avord, French AWACS E-3F reconnaissance aircraft are currently taking off from Chateauroux.
Top places to visit in Chateauroux
Located in the Centre-Val de Loire administrative region, Châteauroux is one of the cities that best reflects French history. Châteauroux always manages to be a city that attracts the attention of travelers with its castles, magnificent churches and cathedrals built in the city throughout the history of France, historical monuments and settlements, some of which are under UNESCO protection.
Among the important places to visit in the city; Château Raoul and the Neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame Church, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions, Musée-Hôtel Bertrand, where Napoleon Bonaparte’s belongings are exhibited, St. Martin’s Church, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the 19th century Neo-Gothic architecture. Saint-André de Châteauroux Church, one of the most beautiful examples of 19th century Neo-Gothic architecture, the Châteauroux Forest, one of the largest oak forests in France, the Balsan Park and Château spread over 4.5 hectares between two châteaux and the river, and the Bell Tower of Notre-Dame Abbey built in the 12th century.
Chateauroux airport transportation details
There are bus, metro, taxi and private car rental options for transportation from the airport to the city center.
Bus lines 179, 289, 379, 390, 379, 390 and 60 depart from the stops located outside the port and arrive at the city center in approximately 15 minutes. The T6 metro line, which operates between 07:00 – 23:30, is a 15-minute walk from the port exit. Taxis can be preferred for a more comfortable trip outside the public transportation time zone. There are also offices of different car rental companies in the port.
