If the huge fires affecting the Gironde for several days have had an impact on rail and road traffic, the Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, however, remains operational. Commercial flights are operated normally >, explains the airport platform in a statement, highlighting that in conjunction with the competent authorities, priority is given to departing flights ".
Regarding access, bus and tram links also remain in operation. However, the tram line will run without intermediate stops between Mérignac Soleil and the airport, a measure intended to improve service flow during the crisis period.
Closure of hotels near the airport
However, by prefectoral decision, hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the airport are closed. Furthermore, the airport terminals (Hall A, Hall B and the Billi terminal) are also closed at night, meaning no alternative accommodation can be offered on the airport site itself.
This mobilisation is part of a tense sequence for the department. A first fire near the tarmac on 21 July had already caused delays in take-offs and landings and cost the lives of two firefighters. According to the services of the Gironde prefecture, reported by the regional press, more than 10,000 hectares had been ravaged by flames in this area by 24 July.
But it is especially the fires that have been affecting the north of the Arcachon basin and the Biscarrosse area, in Gironde and Landes, since July 25th that are disrupting travel, while leaving more than 40,000 hectares of desolate landscapes and causing the evacuation of more than 220,000 people. Furthermore, the Minister for the Economy, Roland Lescure, reports more than 13,000 evacuated businesses.
No TGV beyond Bordeaux towards Hendaye and Tarbes
The presence of a fire near the tracks has caused the suspension of rail traffic south of the metropolis. While SNCF had initially recommended postponing train journeys to the affected areas from Saturday 25th to Monday 27th July, traffic is now interrupted at the request of the prefecture of Gironde between Bordeaux and Arcachon on one side, and between Bordeaux and Morcenx on the other.
Consequently, SNCF Voyageurs has revised its transport plans with the cancellation of trains departing from Bordeaux for Arcachon, Hendaye, and Tarbes. This leads to the cancellation of TGV services on these routes, as well as Intercités night trains between Paris and Tarbes, and TER services between Bordeaux and Arcachon, and Bordeaux and Morcenx. However, TGV services from Paris are unaffected but will terminate at Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, without continuing beyond.
Furthermore, at the government's invitation, the cancellation and free exchange of tickets for all travellers wishing to postpone their journey remains in place until Friday 31 July inclusive.I asked the SNCF to extend its exceptional commercial flexibility measures until Friday 31 July for travellers who were due to travel to these departments next week.", stated Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, on X, highlighting that "Faced with the persistence of violent fires in Gironde, it is essential to continue to limit travel to Gironde and Landes.".
In this context, the road network is also affected, so as not to hinder rescue efforts in particular. On the A63, traffic is closed in both directions south of Bordeaux. That is to say, between Liposthey and Cestas in the direction of Bordeaux, and between the Bordeaux ring road and junction 24, in Cestas, in the direction of Bayonne. The slip road connecting Arcachon to Bordeaux at junction 22 is also closed.
