Paris Air Show 2023: Business Aviation Planning Guide
UPDATE 6-8-23: If you’re planning on operating to Paris anytime between now and the day after the Paris Airshow ends (June 26th), and do not have accreditation to park, it’s time to find alternate parking. Our Universal Aviation Paris team has advised us that there is no parking within the city due to congestion from the Airshow and even quick turns are being managed case-by-case.
Recommended alternates include Albert – Picardie Airport (LFAQ), Pontoise – Cormeilles Aerodrome (LFPT), Châlons Vatry Airport (LFOK) and Deauville – Normandie Airport (LFRG).
Check Feasibility-IQ for details on any of these airport alternates.
For the first time since 2019, the Paris Air Show will be held in June 2023. Taking place every two years, the Paris Air Show is a must-attend event for many in the aviation industry. The event was canceled in 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.
This year the air show and exhibition runs June 19-25 at Le Bourget (LFPB). As this will be a busy event, in terms of both airport congestion and hotel availability, it’s recommended to begin trip planning as soon as schedule is known.
The following is an overview of what you need to know:
About the Paris Air Show
The Paris Air Show is a biennial event that is one of the largest and most prestigious aerospace exhibitions in the world. Held at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, the air show attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from around the globe, including aerospace industry professionals, government officials, and aviation enthusiasts. With a history dating back to 1909, the Paris Air Show has been the stage for many significant aviation milestones and technological advancements. The event showcases the latest in aviation technology, including military and civilian aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aerospace equipment. In addition to exhibits, the air show features flying displays that provide an opportunity to see aircraft in action and witness aerobatic performances. The Paris Air Show is an exciting and informative event that brings together aviation professionals and enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the advancements in aerospace technology.
Primary airport
Paris Le Bourget airport is the host of the Paris Air Show.
LFPB is the preferred general aviation (GA) airport for this event, as this is where the air show and static display take place. LFPB is a 24-hour airport of entry (AOE) with full services, fixed-base operators (FBOs) and credit available.
Parking availability
While GA parking seldom runs out at LFPB , it may during the Air Show period. With regard to GA parking, there may be issues with availability, depending upon the number of aircraft needing to be accommodated. The airport authority may allocate additional parking to FBOs, but it’s at their discretion. Parking availability will depend on space available on FBO ramps and whether or not the airport authority allocates additional space. If overnight parking is not available only drop and goes will be permitted.
Parking restrictions
The large aircraft parking area at LFPB will be taken over by the static display and we do not expect overnight wide-body parking availability, for anything larger than an Airbus ACJ or Boeing BBJ, to be available from June 14 to at least June 28. Note that the max wingspan for parking will be 52 meters over this period, except if part of the Air Show.
From 22nd till 26th June our ramp will not be able to accommodate aircraft with more than 32-meter wingspan (Global 7000 max).
Operational Restrictions at LFPB During Air Show
During the Air Show period, there will be airport and runway closures from time to time, for demo flight purposes. During these periods no aircraft, other than those participating in the flying display, will be permitted to operate.
All times below in UTC
- June 14, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 07:30-1530
- June 15, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 07:30-1530
- June 16, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 07:30-1530
- June 17, 2023: *Potentially closed from 11:30-14:30
- June 18, 2023: *Potentially closed from 11:30-14:30
- June 19, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 20, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 21, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 22, 2023: Closed from 11:30-14:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 23, 2023: Closed from 10:30-15:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 24, 2023: Closed from 10:30-15:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
- June 25, 2023: Closed from 10:30-15:30 and PPR required from 06:00-17:30
Alternate airports
Aerial view of Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
If you’re not able to secure overnight parking at LFPB , or if your aircraft has a wingspan of more than 52 meters, alternate parking will need to be considered.
Pontoise (LFPT) is located just 20 miles from LFPB .
Charles de Gaulle (LFPG), six miles away, can also be considered.
Both provide full service GA support, however, LFPT has just a 5,541-foot runway. LFPT is normally not an AOE and airport hours are usually 0800-2200 local with overtime available upon request. However, during the Paris Air Show period, airport operating hours may be extended at LFPT and the airfield may temporarily be designated an AOE.
In the case of LFPG, this is a commercial airport and scheduled commercial flights take priority. Airport slots are needed for LFPG, with -5/+10 minutes deviation, and should be requested as soon as the schedule is known.
Other alternates include:
Check Feasibility-IQ for more information on these and any other airports you may be interested in researching or visiting.
Accreditation requirements
Accreditation can only be obtained online via a website: https://siaeaeronef.mybadgeonline.com/aeronef. Processing time depends on the number of requests and the personnel doing the processing. The deadline for accreditation is seven days prior 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.
Prefectoral accreditation is required from 14 to 25 June included. Each accreditation remains valid throughout the SIAE air show.
The accreditation numbers must be mentioned in box 18 of the flight plan.
The documents which are required to make the request are :
- For the aircraft : Airworthiness + Airworthiness Review Certficate
- For the crew members: passport + Valid pilot licence
SAFA checks
Safety assessment of foreign aircraft (SAFA) checks are conducted at random throughout the European Union (EU), including at LFPB . Best practice, to avoid potential fines, delays and other issues, is to ensure you have all documentation on the SAFA checklist available and organized for inspection.
Hotels and local transport
Preferred hotels in Paris and the immediate surrounding areas are expected to sell out during the Paris Air Show period. For short notice or last minute operations you may need to consider crew accommodations options much further out.
Local pre-paid (car with driver) transport options should be arranged as soon as schedule is known. You’ll need to ensure that the vehicle receives a sticker to allow it to enter public areas of the airport at LFPB. Your ground handler can assist in obtaining these stickers.
Additional arrival considerations
During the period of the Paris Air Show, vehicles with the exception of public taxis, will need 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 integrity of security at LFPB .
Be mindful of reporting requirement for currency or currency equivalents of more than 10,000 Euros per family, as well as for importation of any goods greater than 430 Euros in value. Should you exceed this limits, a “Declaration of Valuables” needs to be completed on arrival and/or departure to avoid potential fines and/or delays.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to attend the Paris Air Show, Universal Aviation France can help.
The only special permission needed to travel to LFPB during the Paris period is prior accreditation. There is a deadline that you need to meet regarding the accreditation to avoid delays or denials. However, be mindful that GA parking will be on a first-come first-serve basis and parking options may run out close to and during the event period. It’s recommended that you submit any parking requests as soon as a schedule is known.
