The 2024 Summer Olympic Games (Paris Olympics) will be held in Paris from July 26th to Aug. 11, 2024, overlapping with the already busy summer Peak Season for the city. The Paris Olympics will be a huge draw for international business aviation operators, creating airport congestion throughout the region and creating competition for services and hotels.

If you plan on attending the games or being in the region, Universal Aviation Paris suggests the time to begin planning is now.

Here’s what you need to know based on previous Olympics and information currently available regarding airport restrictions.

Paris 2024

The majority of the Paris Olympic events will take place in Paris and its surrounding metropolitan areas, including nearby cities like Saint-Denis, Le Bourget, Nanterre, Versailles, and Vaires-sur-Marne.

Around thirty events will take place within a 10-kilometer radius around the Athletes’ Village, located in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies Will be Peak Traffic Periods

Peak periods of congestion are the day before and after the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, July 26 and August 11.

For the first time in Summer Olympic Games history, the ceremony won’t be held in a stadium. Paris 2024 is revolutionizing sports competitions by integrating them within the city’s fabric. Similarly, the opening ceremony will unfold in the city’s core, along the Seine, its primary vein.

Slots, Restrictions & Reservations

Universal Aviation Paris is actively monitoring all restrictions and NOTAMs for the Summer Games and we are updating this article as information changes.

Airspace Closed During Opening Ceremony

Traffic at all Parisian airports (LFPG, LFPO, LFPB, and LFOB) will be interrupted during the opening ceremony of the Olympic games on Friday, July 26th, 2024. During this period, no slots will be available at CDG, ORY, or BVA from 15:30 UTC and 22:00 UTC

French CAA will have to close Parisian airspace between 7 p.m. and midnight for safety reasons. A temporary restricted area with a radius of 150 km and with no limit of altitude will be put in place around Paris. Only a few flights for emergency services will, on an exceptional basis, be authorized subject to an exemption granted by the French Air Force.

Usual users, airlines, professionals, and individuals will have to delay their activities or bypass this zone during the period in question, says French CAA, who adds that regulations will be implemented starting at 5 pm July 26th.

Long-haul flights to Asia, the Middle East, South America, South Africa, and the Indian Ocean will, therefore, be particularly affected, with significant delays to be expected.

Airport Slot Notice for the Paris Olympics:

• A mandatory airport slot will be in effect for special events during the Olympics.

French Authorities Slot Allocation – First Come, First Serve:

• The slot allocation protocol is now open and available as first come, first serve. In the event that a requested slot is unavailable, we will try to offer an alternative that closely matches the original request.
• Note: The sample allocations for runways might undergo changes for the Olympic games.

If you get a slot…keep it!

Slots will be in high demand for the period of the Games. If you receive a slot, keep it! Canceling it or trying to get a more preferred slot will cancel your existing slot and send it back into the system and there’s no guarantee you will get another one.

Runway Traffic Periods:

• Green Period: For regular traffic.
• Orange Period: Specifically for special events, including the Olympic Games.

Olympic Games Slot Details (Orange Period):

• Slots will be allocated every 20 minutes for both arrivals and departures.
• Example: From 07:00 to 07:20 local time, there will be 8 arrivals and 8 departures.

Auxiliary Services

Services such as hotels, security, ground transportation, and catering will be in high demand during the Olympics, so it is vital that operators review their itinerary thoroughly before booking these services, which may be nonrefundable during the Paris Olympics.

Operators really need to look at what specific events they will be attending and then formulate their plan from there. Choose the best location and appropriate ground handler for your operation. Keep in mind that Olympic venues are in different locations within the Paris area and throughout France. That’s critical in not only airport selection, but also selection of suppliers for additional services.

Nonrefundable Fees

Another consideration regarding parking is non-refundable fees charged by some airports and ground handlers.

Some airports during the London Olympics charged non-refundable, or 50 percent non-refundable, deposits for aircraft parking and ground handling during the Olympics period. You should be able to make revisions and not get charged, but it’s best to check with your FBO on its cancellation and/or revision policy. In most cases, you’ll be able to change schedule without penalty, but your deposit will likely become non-refundable if reservations are cancelled.

Hotels

All Paris hotel reservations are blocked by the Paris IOC organizing committee. Expect high prices and restrictive cancelation policies. The Paris Olympics official website has many hospitality and travel package options. Book early to ensure availability.

Best Paris Olympics Airport Options

Below are a list of airports to consider when operating to the Paris Olympics ranked from most desirable to least/unavailable.

Le Bourget (LFPB)

Paris Le Bourget airport.

Typically, Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) is the primary business aviation airport for the Paris region. Due to the high demand and congestion, it is likely that other airports will need to be considered.

• Slots will be required from July 12 through September 16, 2024. (Submit your request ASAP)
• Drive time to Central Paris can range from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions
• Le Bourget is open 24 hours for arrivals, but jet engine departures from the apron are prohibited between 2215 and 0600 local. Permission for late departures is possible with prior approval for medical evacuation flights only.
• Parking: Currently, parking at Le Bourget is at total capacity. Our team is actively coordinating quick-turn operations for aircraft intending to drop off passengers and then reposition to either LFPT or LFPM for parking solutions.
• Services: Fuel provided by 3 independent companies
• AC/DC power is available
• First right of refusal
• Two hangars (3000 sqm each)
• Two ramps totalling  14350 sqm
• Ops office space
• On site customs office
• Immigration clear at the FBO
• VIP PAX lounge
• 2 approved catering companies

Universal Aviation Paris is headquartered at Le Bourget and can support your mission needs.

Albert (LFAQ)

Albert Bray Picardie Airport (LFAQ) is in the Picardie Region North of France and is about a two hour drive to Central Paris.

Universal Aviation France highly recommends operators consider Albert. Drive time to Central Paris is about two hours.

Services

• The airport was constructed for Airbus to accommodate the Beluga.
• The tower operates 24/7.
• No PPR during the Olympics.
• No slots required.
• 24 hours on-site customs office available for the Olympics to clear in the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO).
• Will be an Airport of Entry for the Olympic period
• All staff members speak English.
• Flexibility for late arrivals or departures
• Ramp space available for up to 6 General Aviation (GA) aircraft.
• Towbarless tug capable of moving all our aircraft is provided.
• No hangar facilities available.
• Airport fuel tanks hold 15,000 gallons with one fuel truck from Air BP.
• AC/DC power cart is accessible.
• Aircart arrangements can be made.
• No potable water supply.

Heli Transfers

In an innovative approach to transportation, Universal Aviation France is collaborating with a helicopter service to offer quick transfers from downtown Paris to LFAQ, providing a seamless connection for international departures with on-site customs clearance.

MX, Dispatch and Catering

• • No on site MX, but engineer  allowed on the field
  • Excellent office space available
  • Cold storage available
  • Catering will likely be brought in from Paris
  • 20-minute drive to local hotel if needed

Performance

• One Useable Runway: u09-27   7,218’x148’    102,129# TO    83,500# LNDG

Pontoise (LFPT):

Pontoise Airport (LFPT) is another good alternative. It is about an 1 hour and 30 minutes drive time to Paris Downtown.

Services

• Fuel tanks at the airport hold 13,000 gallons.
• Lavatory (lav) service is available.
• No potable water supply on-site.
• AC/DC power is accessible.
• No restrictions on auxiliary power units (APU).
• No hangar space available; aircraft will be parked on the taxiway.
• Unable to tow aircraft.
• Customs will clear both crew and passengers on the aircraft for the Games.
• Vehicles are allowed to drive on the airport to meet planeside.
• The airport operates 24 hours a day, but English-speaking Air Traffic Control (ATC) is not available from 2000 to 0500. ***This issue may be resolved for the Olympics.

MX, Dispatch, and Catering:

• No on-site maintenance (MX) facilities, but engineers are permitted on the field.
• Office space is available.
• Cold storage is available for catering.
• Catering will likely be sourced from Paris.

Performance:

The airport has 2 runways:

• Runway 05-23: 5,541′ x 154′ with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 91,190 pounds and a maximum landing weight (MLW) of 83,500 pounds.
• Runway 12-30: 5,413′ x 164′ with a MTOW of 88,080 pounds and a MLW of 83,500 pounds

Vatry (LFOK):

Châlons Vatry Airport. (2023, August 26). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2lons_Vatry_Airport

Vatry (LFOK) is about a three-hour drive to Central Paris and is designated as the official Paris overflow airport.

Services:

• Nearly 1,000,000 square feet of parking space.
• Conducts over 100 executive flights per year.
• Capacity for 175,000 gallons of Jet-A fuel.
• 24-hour service.
• English-speaking staff.
• AC/DC power is available.
• Potable water and lavatory (lav) service provided.
• Aircart service is available.
• No tug service available.
• Customs clearance can be done in the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO).

MX, Dispatch, and Catering:

• No onsite maintenance (MX) facilities, but engineers have full ramp access.
• There is a restaurant in the terminal.
• Cold storage is available for catering.

Performance:

The airport has 1 runway:

• Runway 10-28: 12,664′ x 148′ with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 103,600 pounds and a maximum landing weight (MLW) of 83,500 pounds.

London-Stansted (EGSS)

Stansted is only a 30-minute flight from Paris and has ample parking at reasonable rates and easy immigration for crew.

Although not in France, Stansted Airport is not a bad airport option for drop-and-goes. It may seem far, but in reality, it’s only a 30-minute flight away with plenty of parking, easy immigration for crew, and you won’t be competing with peak-season parking. You can read more about operating to Stansted in our business aviation guide.

Non-Viable Local Airport Options

Charles de Gaulle will mostly not be available for GA during the Olympics.

1. Beauvais (LFOB) – Limited to no GA support.
2. Rouen (LFOP) – Limited to no GA support.
3. Orly (LFPO)
4. Charles-De-Gaulle (LFPG)

Beauvais and Rouen have limited to no GA support so are not a realistic option for business avation.

Orly and Charles De-Gaulle are also not good options, as they are dedicated commercial airports, and possibly used for heads of state. These two airports will be handling the Olympic Teams based on previous events like the Le Mans Race, World Cup, etc. There are also no dedicated FBOs of GA at either airport.

Helicopter Transfers

Travel times from the Heliport de Paris.

• Le Bourget: 15 minutes
• Albert: 45 minutes
• Pontoisse: 20 minutes
• Vatry: 45-60 minutes

Security and Crew Accreditation

In light of the recent incidents where climate protestors targeted private jets in Europe, and the heightened terror threat levels following the attack at the Moscow theater, the importance of aircraft security has become paramount for business aviation, particularly in the context of the upcoming Olympics. With these elevated risks in mind, Universal Aviation France has proactively engaged with local airport authorities to formulate a robust security strategy. The consensus is to implement security protocols akin to those effectively utilized during the 2023 Paris Air Show, ensuring the safety and integrity of business aviation operations.

During the Paris Air Show, vehicles, except for public taxis, needed to have special stickers in order to access the public side of the airport. Note that private transportation providers will not be able to access the airport without these stickers. Transportation options like Uber will not be given access to the public area of the airport for this event. Additional airport security measures will be evident during the Air Show period with military police stationed throughout the airfield. Additional checks will be done, even for parked GA aircraft, to ensure the integrity of security at LFPB.

Crew Accreditation

We anticipate crew accreditation will be similar to what was implemented for the Paris Airshow. For that event, it could only be obtained online via a website. Processing time depends on the number of requests and the personnel doing the processing. The deadline for accreditation was seven days prior to the date of Operations, and any requests received after the deadline may be delayed or rejected.

Accreditation must be requested for each pilot, co-pilot and aircraft. The connection between pilots and aircraft (check of qualifications by the applicable Civil Aviation authorities) must be included in the ad hoc form.

The accreditation numbers must be mentioned in box 18 of the flight plan.

The documents which are required to make the request were:

• For the aircraft : Airworthiness + Airworthiness Review Certficate
• For the crew members: passport + Valid pilot licence

Airport Specific Requirements

• Paris–Le Bourget Airport: no changes to the crew and passenger lists are allowed within 2 hours before departure.
• Pontoise – Cormeilles Aerodrome and Melun Villaroche Aerodrome: these lists must be finalized 4 hours before takeoff.
• If the authorities detect any changes past these deadlines, the flight operator will be prohibited from operating during the entirety of the Olympic Games.

Transportation

Professional ground transportation is recommended. Traffic and road congestion will be high, particularly before the opening and closing ceremonies. It’s best to have a plan in place for getting to and from venues with backup routes and an experienced familiar driver. Cars and drivers will be in extremely high demand. It’s best to book early and avoid changes.

Drivania- Chauffeurs can help.

Catering

Developing a catering strategy can be a big time saver and help you avoid potential challenges during your mission. Air Culinaire Worldwide can help.

One often overlooked but critical detail in planning is the strategy behind in-flight catering. With all the steps that go into pre-planning an operation to the 2024 Paris Olympics, such as slot reservations, parking, and booking hotels, it’s easy to overlook the importance of pre-planning in-flight catering.  For example, for flights parked at outlying stations picking up passengers in Paris, it may be more efficient to have catering delivered to the crew before leaving to get the passengers so that it is available when the passengers are picked up. Or have the catering delivered directly to the passengers’ departure airport.

Because of the heavy demand for services, particularly during the Closing Ceremonies, Air Culinaire Worldwide advises operators to give their caterer advance notice and avoid changes.

The key is providing a high level of detail on the specific requirements needed, such as any allergy restrictions, the type of onboard reheating devices on the aircraft, unique packaging needs, or specialty items that could be difficult to source. The busiest time will likely be following closing ceremonies when aircraft will be trying to exit the country en masse over a 24-36 hour period.

Consider an Air2Ground VIP Agent

Air2Ground VIP agents can eliminate some of the stress of operating to Paris during peak season, serving as an extension of your trip support team on the ground.

To help ensure a smooth experience on the ground, we recommend using an Air2Ground VIP Agent for all Universal Trip Support managed missions to Paris during the period of the Olympics. Air2Ground VIP Agents are first-come, first-serve to Universal Trip Support customers and provide a high level of touch, serving as an extension of your team on the ground. These agents will be in high demand during this period, so operators should reserve ASAP.

Tips and What to Expect

Universal Aviation Paris is working closely with Airport and Olympic authorities for the latest information and can help support your mission to Paris for the Games.

• Delays in obtaining slots and permits are likely due to increased number of requests
• Delays with ground handling and all related services at all primary destinations
• Limited supervision on the ramp
• Limited hotel availability
• Increased pricing – for all services
• Communicate with your trip support provider and submit requests ASAP
• Submit complete passenger list with the status of the main person on board.
• Slots can differ from what was submitted. Avoid schedule changes once slots are granted.
• Arrange visas prior to arrival
• Refrain from ordering fuel or catering for short stops
• Ask for additional supervision where possible
  • Don’t just know the operating requirements
• Develop a plan and see the big picture
• Is a drop-and-go more efficient for your needs?
• What accommodation is closest to the specific events you will be attending?
• Will you need security escorts, secure transportation?

As more information becomes available, we will continue to update this article. In the meantime, if you plan on attending the Paris Olympics, please contact your team or Universal Aviation France as soon as possible.