Oyonnax-Arbent Airfield

The closure was primarily due to a combination of economic and urban development factors. Key reasons include:
1. **Economic Non-viability:** The airfield experienced very low traffic levels, making its operational and maintenance costs unsustainable for the local authorities.
2. **Urban and Industrial Pressure:** Oyonnax is the heart of France's 'Plastics Valley' (La Plastics Vallée), a major industrial hub. There was significant demand for land to expand industrial and commercial zones. The airfield's large, flat area was identified as prime real estate for this development.
3. **Proximity to Larger Airports:** The relative proximity of larger, better-equipped airports such as Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) and Geneva (GVA) diminished the need for a local airfield for business travel.
4. **Noise Complaints:** As the urban area of Oyonnax and Arbent grew around the airfield, noise from aircraft operations became an increasing concern for local residents.

The site of the former Oyonnax-Arbent Airfield has been completely redeveloped. The aviation infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, and hangars, has been removed. The land is now occupied by a large industrial and commercial park, often referred to as the 'Technoparc' or 'Zone d'Activités de l'Aérodrome'. New roads, warehouses, and company buildings have been constructed directly on the former airfield grounds. While the layout of some roads may loosely follow the path of the old runway, there are no functional remnants of the airport.

Before its closure, the airfield, with its former ICAO code LFLK, was a key center for general aviation in the Haut-Bugey region. Its primary operations included:
- **Leisure and Sport Aviation:** It was home to the Aéro-club d'Oyonnax, which provided flight training, recreational flying, and gliding activities for local enthusiasts.
- **Business Aviation:** It served the needs of local industries in the 'Plastics Valley', allowing for private and corporate flights, which was crucial for a region with many international business connections.
- **Medical and Emergency Services:** On occasion, it was used for medical evacuations or as a base for emergency service operations.
It was never a major commercial airport with scheduled passenger services but served as a vital local infrastructure asset for private, business, and recreational flying for several decades.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Oyonnax-Arbent Airfield. The permanent and extensive redevelopment of the site into an industrial park makes a return to aviation activities physically and economically impossible. The land has been irreversibly repurposed, and the local government's focus remains on industrial and economic development for the area.