Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin

From the misty mornings shrouding its runways to the roar of engines echoing through its history, the Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin has witnessed a fascinating blend of military might and civil aviation. Imagine yourselves transported back to 1937, the year this airfield was born. Originally built for the French Army, the Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin soon became a strategic asset during World War II. The Luftwaffe, recognizing its value, took control and transformed it. They constructed two concrete runways, sturdy enough to withstand the demands of war, and built hangars, offices, and other facilities. Interestingly, the frequent morning fog proved to be a tactical advantage, concealing the takeoff of German aircraft. The airfield played a significant role in the war, hosting squadrons like the I./JG2, equipped with Focke Wulf fighters, which participated in operations over the Normandy beachhead. Even larger aircraft like the Ju 88 and 188 bombers were stationed here. As the tide of war turned, the Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin became a target for Allied forces. The USAAF’s B-26 Marauder bombers and P-47 Thunderbolts pounded the airfield, aiming to disable the Luftwaffe’s interceptors. By September 1944, Allied ground forces liberated the area and the USAAF’s 344th Bombardment Group took over, flying their B-26 Marauders from the very runways once used by the enemy. In 1946, the Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin transitioned back to civilian use. Under the management of Aéroports de Paris since 1949, it has served as a hub for general aviation, business flights, and even brief periods of commercial air travel. Companies like Aigle Azur and Debonair once offered scheduled flights to London from here. Today, remnants of its wartime past still linger. If you explore the grounds, you might discover old Luftwaffe barracks, a water tower, or even concrete bunkers hidden in the wooded areas, silent witnesses to the airfield’s layered history. More recently, the Aérodrome de Pontoise – Cormeilles en Vexin has embraced the future, becoming a testing ground for innovative urban air mobility solutions. The dream of electric “flying taxis” takes shape here, promising a new chapter in the airfield’s ongoing story.