Australian Grand Prix 2025: Business Aviation Planning Guide
The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place March 14-16, 2025 at the Albert Park street circuit a few miles south of central Melbourne. For general aviation (GA) operators planning to attend this event or traveling to Melbourne during this time, it’s important to consider aircraft parking and crew accommodation options as early as possible.
The following is an overview of what you need to know:
About the Race
The Albert Park Circuit is a motorsport street circuit around Albert Park Lake, three kilometres south of central Melbourne.
The Australian Grand Prix is an annual Formula One race held in Melbourne, Australia, and is typically one of the first races of the season. The race attracts thousands of fans and top racing teams from around the world and is known for its exciting racing and festive atmosphere.
The race features high-speed straights, tight corners, and challenging braking zones. In addition to the race, the Australian Grand Prix features a range of entertainment and cultural events, including concerts, art exhibits, and food and wine festivals.
Primary airports
There are two primary airports to consider for those planning to attend the Melbourne Grand Prix or just traveling to Melbourne during this time – Melbourne (YMML) and Essendon (YMEN).
Melbourne YMML
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (YMML) is the main international airport and 24-hour airport of entry (AOE) for Melbourne. It is located 14 miles (25 minutes) from downtown Melbourne and Albert Park. While YMML is a busier airport with more potential for delays compared to Essendon (YMEN), it offers advantages for operators requiring 24/7 services.
Key Features:
- Runway Length: YMML has an 11,998-foot runway, suitable for all aircraft types.
- No Slots or PPR: Slots and prior permission requests (PPR) are not required at YMML.
- CIQ & Airport Operations: Available 24/7.
- No FBO Facilities: YMML does not have dedicated FBO facilities. Services are provided via ground handling agents.
- Fuel Pricing: Contract fuel rates are often more favorable at YMML than at YMEN.
Customs, Immigration & Quarantine (CIQ) Information
Customs Pre-arrangement
- Customs must be arranged in advance due to officer availability.
Off-Terminal Clearance (OTC)
- OTC is available anytime except during shift changes from 4:30-5:30 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM local time.
- If OTC is denied, clearance can be arranged at the terminal for an additional fee.
- Customs is unavailable daily from 2:00-5:30 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM.
Alternate Airport
- If parking is unavailable at YMML, YMEN is the closest alternate.
Melbourne Essendon (YMEN)
View of Melbourne skyline from Essendon
Essendon Airport (YMEN) is located 7.8 miles (30 minutes) from downtown Melbourne. While primarily a domestic airport, CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) clearance for international flights can be arranged, but only at the discretion of local authorities. If approved, CIQ officers must drive from Melbourne Tullamarine (YMML) to handle the flight. If CIQ clearance cannot be arranged at YMEN for your schedule, you’ll need to operate to YMML instead.
Key Considerations:
- Runway Length: YMEN has a 6,302-foot runway, which may limit operations for some aircraft types.
- Weight Limitations: Operations at YMEN are restricted to aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 50,000 kg (110,231 lbs).
- GA Parking: Parking availability is excellent and usually less expensive than YMML. Spots rarely run out.
Curfew and Operational Restrictions
YMEN has a strict nighttime curfew from 2300 to 0600 local time. Key restrictions include:
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Weight Restrictions During Curfew:
- Incoming and departing aircraft must not exceed 50,000 kg (110,231 lbs).
- Only limited aircraft types are allowed, such as emergency service aircraft or those landing for safety reasons.
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Exceptions to the Curfew:
The curfew restrictions do not apply to flights for:- Search and rescue (SAR), medical emergencies, or natural disasters
- In-flight emergencies or low-fuel diversions
- Urgent safety or security needs
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Proof of Compliance: Operators may be required to provide documentation that certain aircraft installations (ASC008) have been carried out.
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Penalties for Violations: The government takes curfew breaches seriously and may impose fines or additional sanctions for operators who knowingly violate these rules.
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Dispensation Requests: In special cases, operators can apply for permission to operate during curfew hours.
Alternate Airport
Should aircraft parking be an issue at YMML and YMEN, a good parking alternate to consider is Avalon (YMAV). As this is a domestic-only airport, international arrivals first need to land at an AOE for CIQ processing prior to proceeding to YMAV. YMAV is a 24-hour airport with long runways and plenty of parking available. As YMAV is a less busy location than either YMML or YMEN, air and ground congestion issues are not a factor. Drive time to central Melbourne is about 50-60 minutes.
Landing Permits
Private non-revenue flights do not require landing permits for Australia. However, all revenue charter (non-scheduled commercial) operations must obtain non-scheduled flight permission. While this is not a traditional landing permit, it does involve submitting information and documentation to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in order to ensure that charter operators comply with all applicable requirements. In addition, charter and high-frequency private operators must also fill out a 094 document from CASA and submit an application for a Transportation Safety Program (TSP). Note that a TSP application typically takes a minimum of 60 days to process.
Permit Requirements
Lead time to obtain non-scheduled flight permission for Australia is a minimum of five business days. Operators will need to provide CASA with:
- airworthiness and registration certificates
- noise certificate
- a certified copy of the company’s incorporation or registration, issued by the Registrar of Companies in the operator’s principle place of business
Note that CASA only operates Monday-Friday during normal business hours. For more information on Certificate of Incorporation requirements it’s recommended to talk with your 3rd-party provider.
Ground Support Services
YMML, YMEN and YMAV all offer full GA ground handling support and fuel uplift services. Credit arrangements can be made with prior notice for all services. Fuel cards are accepted for uplifts, but cash is not a preferred form of payment. For YMAV there are no fueling delays to consider. In the case of YMML and YMEN it’s always best to request fuel uplifts in advance. Though fuelers will know the average fuel uplift needs for the particular type of aircraft, it’s recommended that you specify volume requirements.
CIQ Clearance and Visas
CIQ processing for GA at Melbourne area airports is done in the main terminal. The local handler will escort passengers and crew through the clearance process, via a dedicated crew clearance line. Passengers do not have to stand in line with scheduled commercial arrivals. Note that Australia is very stringent on CIQ clearance procedures. Note that all crew and passengers need to hold appropriate visas prior to arrival. Many nationalities are able to obtain these visas online. If you are not eligible for the online visa, you will need to obtain it from an Australian embassy.
CIQ Considerations
Australian Customs and Border Protection at YMML now require a minimum 48 hours’ notice for all arrival requests and any itinerary changes of more than 30 minutes from previously approved times. To obtain Off Terminal Clearance (OTC) at YMEN, Australian Customs and Border Protection / Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) must be informed of the movements 10 days prior to arrival. A stamped general dec from the previous airport is always required for all international arrivals, and no exceptions to this are possible. On board CIQ clearance is subject to CIQ operational requirements and Australian law prohibits ground handlers from filling out any CIQ related forms on the operator’s behalf. In the event onboard CIQ is unavailable at YMML, Melbourne Jet Base has a dedicated and private onsite CIQ processing facility within their FBO. Due to quarantine requirements all fresh and unprocessed food must be disposed of upon landing, unless prior arrangements with the Quarantine officer have been made.
Hotels and Local Transport
There’s a wide range of hotel accommodations available in the greater Melbourne area, including large international hotel chains. To secure preferred 4- and 5-star crew accommodations it’s best to request hotel rooms as soon as trip schedule is known. For local prepaid transport, a car with driver can be set up and rental vehicles can be arranged at all three Melbourne airports.
Conclusion
YMML is the primary airport for this event, as YMEN has restricted operating hours and YMAV is not an AOE. With over 85,000 sqm of apron and hangar space available, Melbourne Jet Base, located at YMML can provide ground handling services for aircraft up to an A380 during the Grand Prix time period. For those planning to attend this popular race event, the main concerns will be arranging crew accommodations and local transport.
