Corsica’s airport facilities comply with the latest European security standards, from the first to the last stage of the thorough and effective baggage screening process.
Ajaccio is creating a space specifically dedicated to its new «Security Centre».
In an island territory where air transport is essential in all areas – transport, health, the economy – the security of the four international airports is an absolute priority.
It requires a workforce with a high level of competence and professionalism, as well as appropriate and efficient logistics that comply with strict European standards, in order to provide the best possible protection for passengers, baggage and aircraft against malicious acts and deliberate threats, both on the ground and in the air. Bastia and Calvi have modernised their airport security facilities.
Ajaccio is a building site and Figari is on track.
Behind these investments lie not only more effective detection equipment, but also refurbished buildings, new constructions and a more efficient organisation of work across all teams.
State-of-the-art detection equipment.
Bastia-Poretta had anticipated the latest security regulations due to come into force in 2022 by adapting its premises to ensure a smooth transition to EDS Standard 3 (Explosives Detection Equipment), which, thanks to a remarkable technological achievement, enables a more in-depth automatic analysis of hold luggage.
At the time, the Corsican Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), with government support, had allocated a budget of €6.4 million, a sum that covered the entire process required for screening luggage before it was loaded onto aircraft: detection machines, sorting and conveyor systems, as well as the structural modifications to the building.
At Calvi-Sainte-Catherine, this new system for screening hold luggage came into operation on 21 February 2024.
The Balagne platform has thus paved the way in Corsica for the roll-out of standard 3 EDSs.
Once again, integrating these systems required significant work to ensure they were installed under the best possible conditions: refurbishment of the baggage handling building, creation of a plant room, reinforcement of the structural framework and modification of the baggage conveyor belt routes.
As regards Ajaccio Airport – see details on the following pages – the two EDS 3 units were commissioned in early 2024 in a provisional configuration.
However, as we speak, a new building is under construction on the site to house, within a dedicated centre, all security-related functions (including the screening of hold luggage, passengers and their hand luggage, as well as staff and vehicles).
Funding of €16.3 million has been provided for this major project, which has benefited from unprecedented support from the State via the Civil Aviation Security Directorate (DSAC) as well as support from the Corsican Regional Authority.
Finally, Figari Airport currently has one EDS 3 in operation and is preparing to acquire a second unit and to design a new baggage sorting route.
Public procurement procedures have been launched for the extension of the premises required to accommodate this development, for which the DGAC has approved the funding.
Corsica’s airports are therefore well on the way to being fully equipped in terms of security, as every effort is being made not only to enhance their ability to detect and respond to threats, but also to significantly improve the efficiency of passenger processing – something that is highly beneficial and recommended during periods of peak passenger numbers.
Establishment of a «Security Centre» in Ajaccio
Thanks to substantial financial support from the State, provided through the Decentralised Civil Aviation Security Directorate, the Corsican Regional Authority and the Corsican Intermunicipal Public Establishment (EPCI) have set in motion the construction of a building entirely dedicated to passenger safety and security at Campo dell’Oro Airport.
It is on a large scale and with unprecedented financial support – mobilised in particular by the national civil aviation authorities – that security measures are now being fully implemented in both physical and operational terms at Ajaccio’s Napoléon-Bonaparte Airport.
Like its three sister airports, the Campo dell’Oro platform has seen steady growth in passenger numbers, to the point where it has now reached a new milestone in passenger throughput (€1.5 million per year), whilst maintaining the necessary vigilance, thanks to transitional measures approved at the highest level. The project undertaken a few weeks ago goes far beyond the scope of a short-term adjustment imposed by Europe.
The aim is to ensure we have ample scope to manage current air traffic under optimal conditions that meet the highest standards of safety, security and quality. With this ambitious yet realistic aim in mind, it has been decided, under the auspices of the State via the decentralised South-East Civil Aviation Security Directorate, and the Corsican Intermunicipal Public Establishment (EPCI), to develop a large area dedicated to the security chain, comprising passenger and baggage screening, staffed by duly trained personnel and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
For passengers, a smoother journey and less stress
This €16.3 million investment will support the creation of the forthcoming «Security Centre», which will house the hold baggage screening facilities, an operations control centre and staff accommodation.
The two Standard 3 explosive detection systems – the EDS 3s – which have been operational since February 2024 in a limited but temporary configuration, will therefore be incorporated into a permanent installation.
Technical Specifications
The lead consortium is comprised of «Les Charpentiers de la Corse»; Roch Leandri has been selected to carry out the structural work, Villa-Battesti for the architectural design, and Inge-CO and Inge-stru for the technical studies. It should be noted that this major project – from its planning and supervision through to its imminent operation – is the pioneering and unprecedented result of a collective effort carried out by all the airport teams within the Corsican EPCI, including those at Ajaccio and Corse-du-Sud airports, as well as those based in Bastia and Haute-Corse, and finally the Regional Security Directorate.
The figure: 1,600 is the maximum number of pieces of luggage that can be processed every hour at Ajaccio Airport’s future «Security Centre».
Namely, a brand-new wooden building… adjacent to the current terminal, with a floor area of approximately 3,500 square metres of usable floor space: 2,500 for baggage sorting and 1,000 for the security screening area.
The project also includes a staff-only checkpoint, rest areas for staff, a training room and the modernisation of passenger facilities.
The centrepiece of the facility is an «APOC Sûreté», the equivalent of a control tower for coordinating all security-related operations. By June 2028, it is planned to install EDS scanners for ‘cabin baggage’, i.e. the small bags and suitcases that passengers take with them on board.
Thanks to a three-dimensional scanned image of their contents, the analysis of objects – and, by extension, the detection of dangerous devices – is reliable.
Another advantage is that, during the security check before entering the boarding lounges, it is no longer necessary to remove laptops, tablets and strictly permitted liquids from your hand luggage.
For passengers, it’s a win-win: fewer items to take out, fewer trays to handle and less time spent putting everything away once security has been cleared.
François Lebailly: «A level of security commensurate with the challenges»
You have made an unprecedented effort to improve airport security in Corsica.
Is the Civil Aviation Safety Officer reassured?
Government departments did indeed monitor airport security in Corsica, particularly between 2023 and 2025.
Consequently, once the upgrade works at Ajaccio and Figari have been completed, Corsica’s four commercial airports should be fully equipped in terms of security.
This work is subject to a mandatory compliance deadline of 31 August 2027.
The financial commitment made by the DGAC to support these airports is substantial: €16.3 million has been invested in Ajaccio and €9.8 million in Figari.
It reflects the importance attached to maintaining a level of safety that complies with regulatory requirements.
In Ajaccio, work on the new security centre is proceeding according to schedule; in Figari, the tender notice for the construction of the new security centre is expected.
The project to fit out the platform is therefore on a critical path.
If these projects are completed on schedule, Corsica’s airports will then have highly effective tools at their disposal to ensure a level of security commensurate with the challenges posed by island traffic.
Furthermore, government departments remain committed to ensuring that ongoing projects are carried out with the necessary speed and seen through to completion.
