La Réunion's Roland-Garros airport is entering a period of deep transformation. With a €50 million budget earmarked for 2026-2028, the facility is completely overhauling its departures terminal: new commercial space, enlarged boarding areas, and EDS3-standard security screening using MRI technology — the most stringent level in force across the European Union.
Record traffic that justifies the investment
In 2025, the airport welcomed 2.7 million passengers, a historic figure, with estimated growth of +5%. This record validates the relevance of the investments committed and reinforces Roland-Garros's status as a major aviation hub in the Indian Ocean basin. Management has indicated it expects announcements of « new routes » as early as 2026, particularly toward Africa, Asia and India.
Decarbonisation at the heart of the plan
Beyond construction, the ecological trajectory is what defines this transformation plan. The airport already generates 30% of its electricity from solar farms. Two innovative projects are under consultation to go further:
- A large solar farm with green hydrogen storage
- A SWAC system (Sea Water Air Conditioning) — thermal cooling using deep Indian Ocean water
Electrical ground power for parked aircraft will also be installed shortly, significantly cutting auxiliary engine emissions.
Why it matters
For Réunion, modernising Roland-Garros is not merely an infrastructure project — it is a regional competitiveness lever. A renovated, decarbonised, better-connected airport means more tourists, but also more entrepreneurs, conference delegates and investors willing to make the 9,000-kilometre journey from Paris. As Réunion defends its position as an Indian Ocean economic hub, every new route counts. The project has begun.
Sources: Outremers360, reunion.aeroport.fr, imazpress.com — 2026.