Airports of Reunion
Réunion runs its entire commercial aviation operation through a single airport, which tells you a lot about both the island's size and its geography. There's no domestic network to get through, no regional hub rivalry, no confusion about which terminal serves which carrier. Everything flows through Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis — IATA code RUN, named after the aviator rather than the tennis tournament, which surprises more people than it should. The Indian Ocean location means Réunion sits at a meaningful distance from most major population centers, making air connectivity not just convenient but essentially non-negotiable for international visitors.
The shape of Reunion's aviation network
RUN punches considerably above its weight for a single-runway island airport. With 14 non-stop destinations on offer, it maintains genuine connectivity to mainland France (Paris being the dominant route), several other Indian Ocean islands, and select African and European points. That's a respectable number for a French overseas territory of this size. What's worth understanding is the hub dynamic at play: Paris-CDG functions as the practical hub to everywhere else, meaning most long-haul itineraries involve a connection through France. Air Austral operates a meaningful chunk of the regional flying, giving the island its own carrier with genuine knowledge of the routes. If you're connecting onward to Mauritius or Madagascar, RUN handles those short hops cleanly.
Airport tiers in Reunion
Regional airports (1)
- RUN Saint Denis de la Reunion — 14 destinations
Tips for using Reunion's airports
There's exactly one commercial airport on this island, so the question of which airport to use answers itself: RUN, every time. Ground transport from Saint-Denis reaches the main resort areas in the south and west within a reasonable drive — I'd budget generously, because the road geography follows the coastline rather than cutting straight across. There are no domestic legs to worry about and no smaller airfields factoring into your planning. What does matter is booking your onward connections carefully if you're island-hopping across the Indian Ocean, since RUN's schedule is thin enough that missing a departure creates real problems.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are in Reunion?
Reunion has 1 commercial airport that serves the island. This airport handles all commercial passenger traffic for the region.
What is the biggest and busiest airport in Reunion?
Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis (RUN) is the main and only commercial airport in Reunion. It serves as the island's primary hub for all domestic and international flights.
Can I fly internationally from regional airports in Reunion?
There are no regional airports with international service in Reunion. All international flights operate exclusively through Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis.
How far apart are the airports in Reunion?
Since Reunion has only one commercial airport, there is no distance or transit time to consider between multiple airports on the island.
Which airport should I fly to when visiting Reunion?
You should fly to Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis, as it is the only commercial airport serving Reunion. All international and domestic flights arrive and depart from this single airport.