Base Hydro-ULM La Salanque Latécoère

The closure was primarily due to administrative and environmental reasons rather than a single incident. The main factors included the non-renewal of the operating agreement (concession) with local authorities and the increasing difficulty of complying with environmental regulations. The base operated on the Étang de Salses-Leucate, a large saltwater lagoon which is a protected Natura 2000 site, making motorized activities subject to stringent environmental oversight.

The site is no longer an active airfield and is officially listed as permanently closed. The physical infrastructure, including a small hangar/clubhouse and a concrete ramp leading into the lagoon, still exists but is in a state of disuse and is not maintained for aviation purposes. The area has reverted to its natural state as part of the shoreline of the Étang de Salses-Leucate and is used by the public for recreational activities like walking, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural landscape of the protected park.

The site holds immense historical importance for French and international aviation. In 1924, aviation pioneer Pierre-Georges Latécoère established the original 'hydrobase' (seaplane base) at this very location. This base was a crucial hub for his company, 'Lignes Aériennes Latécoère,' which would later become the world-famous 'Compagnie Générale Aéropostale.' It served as the primary center for assembling, testing, and launching the seaplanes that flew the pioneering airmail routes to North Africa and, eventually, South America. Legendary pilots such as Jean Mermoz, Henri Guillaumet, and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry operated from this area. The modern ULM base (FR-0369) was named in honor of this legacy and, when active, it handled recreational flights for ultralight aircraft and seaplanes, keeping the spirit of seaplane aviation alive at its historic birthplace.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the base for aviation activities. The significant environmental protections (Natura 2000 designation) on the Étang de Salses-Leucate make obtaining new permits for motorized aviation extremely difficult and unlikely. Any future revival would require substantial political will, funding, and a new operating model that could satisfy strict environmental impact assessments. Therefore, the prospect of reopening is considered very low to non-existent.