Standing dispute about controversial new airport plan near Nantes

Activists continue to occupy land near France's western city of Nantes where the government plans to build a new airport. The project has been in the works for years, but opposition to it crystallized especially after one of its champions, former Nantes mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault, was appointed Prime Minister of France in 2012. The opponents to the new airport in Notre Dame des Landes have drawn a lot of media attention. But residents and elected officials in Nantes say the protesters represent only a tiny minority. RFI's Sarah Elzas went to Nantes to meet some of those who would like to see a new airport in their region.

Demonstration against the project of a new airport near the western French city of Nantes, at Notre Dame des Landes, 24 november 2012. Reuters/Stephane Mahe