Ancien aérodrome de Sallanches Mont-Blanc

The closure was primarily driven by economic and urban development reasons. The municipality of Sallanches decided to repurpose the valuable land, which was strategically located near the town center, for commercial use. This decision was influenced by the increasing urban pressure, the potential for significant economic returns from a commercial zone, and likely contributing factors such as noise complaints from the growing population and the inherent safety challenges of aviation in a constrained mountain valley.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped. It is now the 'Zone d'Activités des Vorziers', a major commercial and light industrial park for Sallanches. The area is occupied by supermarkets, large retail stores, car dealerships, and other businesses. There are no visible remnants of the runway, hangars, or any other airport infrastructure.

Opened in the 1950s, the Sallanches Mont-Blanc airfield (its operational ICAO code was LFHY) was a historically significant hub for mountain aviation. It was the base for the Aéro-Club de Sallanches, founded in 1956. The airfield specialized in general aviation operations, including tourist flights providing breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc massif, specialized training for pilots seeking mountain ratings ('qualification montagne'), and gliding. Its spectacular but challenging location in the Arve valley made it a renowned destination for European private pilots. Operations were limited to light aircraft (like Jodel and Piper) and gliders capable of handling the unique alpine environment.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been fully and permanently converted to a vital commercial zone for the local economy. The complete redevelopment of the site makes any return to aviation activities physically, politically, and economically impossible.