The project was immediately opposed by local residents and environmental organisations – especially the Collectif citoyen 06. The mobilisation took place mainly online and during the public consultation put in place by the French local authorities about the building permit at the end of 2019. [5] However, the French government said that the project was “coherent” and the authorities granted the permit [4]. Two organisations – France Nature Environnement Paca et Alpes-Maritimes and Capre 06 –  technically supported by the Collectif Citoyen 06 [3] to challenge the permit before the administrative court of Marseille and the case is pending [6].

Numerous arguments were brought against the project. First, it would have a negative impact on the climate because of the increase in greenhouse gas emission [6] and the disturbance of the fauna – especially protected birds – in the protected area near the airport [7]. Second, it would have an impact on the residents for the increased air traffic [3] and the increased road traffic near the airport [4]. Most of these concerns were raised in the report of the public consultation [5]. Moreover, an impact assessment report stated that the current airport was ‘compatible with the increase of the global demand’ [3]. The 'Mission régionale d'autorité environnementale' criticised this impact assessement for being incomplete on the environmental impact of the project [8].