Aire-sur-la-Lys Airfield

While an official reason is not publicly documented, the closure was almost certainly due to economic and land development factors. The airfield was located adjacent to the 'Parc d'activités de la Porte de la Lys' industrial park. The land was likely sold or the lease was terminated to allow for the expansion of the industrial zone or for the land to be returned to more profitable agricultural use. This is a common fate for small, privately run airfields in developing areas.

The site has been completely decommissioned and returned to nature. The former grass runway and associated structures have been removed. The land is now fully integrated into the surrounding agricultural fields and is actively farmed. There are no visible remnants of its past as an airfield.

This specific airfield (FR-0325) was a modern ultralight (ULM - Ultra-Léger Motorisé) aviation platform established around 1996. Its significance was purely local and recreational, serving as the base for the 'Club ULM de l'Artois'. It handled light sport and ultralight aircraft for club members' training and leisure flights. It is important not to confuse this small, recent ULM field with the major historical World War I airfield, RAF Aire, which was a separate facility used by the Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force, located southwest of the town.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The land has been fully repurposed for agriculture, and the proximity to the expanding industrial park makes any future aviation use extremely unlikely. The lack of any remaining infrastructure and the change in land use mean the site is permanently closed.