History
The military airfield opened to
business civil aviation in 1998, allowing for 800
civilian take-offs and landing per year. The Broye
Aeropole project was first introduced in 1999 following
a series of regional studies and planning meetings.
The planners concluded that the local resources of
the military airport, and–importantly–the
population's adaptation to its patterns of air space
use, could significantly enhance the local economy
if the airport was open to moderate civilian traffic.
Such a policy would contribute to creating high value-added
new jobs. The recent inauguration of the Broye's new
national freeway section and the opening of the military
airfield to civilian traffic have changed matters
considerably. Not only has the Broye Aeropole taken
shape, but many other tourist- and leisure-oriented
projects have also broken ground. The take-off of
the regional economy is now on firm footing.
Economic development planning in the Broye region
has focused on the Broye Aeropole. Four COREB planning
groups have arrived at the same conclusion: it is
necessary to concentrate on the seminal role of the
airfield by making available inexpensive land close
by. In this approach, an increase in air traffic plays
a minor role compared to the prospects of attracting
new firms engaged in aircraft maintenance, repair,
and construction.
In 2002, the authorities of the canton of Vaud authorized
loans of 8.3 million Swiss francs to the township
of Payerne for the development of the Aeropole and
the improvement of the airfield. Overall, the canton
of Vaud committed itself to finance some 75% of the
11 million Swiss franc Aeropole project, which will
also serve to improve the surrounding land and access
to the airfield.
