Paris Air Show is held every two years. This is a must-attend event for many decision makers and professionals in the aviation industry. This will be a very busy time for operating a GA flight to Paris, the event taking place during the early summer season as well, so airport congestion and limited hotel availability is to be expected, therefore it is recommended to begin planning as soon as possible.
Venue & Schedule
This year the airshow and exhibition are taking place June 17-23 at Le Bourget Airport – LFPB. June 17-20 is the period for trading and business meet-ups, the show open to the public on June 21st and closes on the 23rd.
The following is an overview of what you need to know to plan for operation:
Airport Options
The primary airport for the Paris Air Show is Le Bourget Airport – LFPB. It is where the airshow and static displays are taking place. LFPB is a full-service GA 24-hour airport of entry (AOE) and there are plenty of (FBO) fixed-base operators to choose from.
During the Air Show period, the airport and runway will be closed from time to time for demo flight purposes. During these periods no aircraft, other than those participating in the flying show, will be authorized to operate.
Parking Options
GA parking might be limited at LFPB during the Air Show. The max wingspan for parking will be 52 meters over the air show period. The large aircraft parking area at LFPB will be given to static displays.
Keep in mind that parking availability will primarily depend on the space available on FBO ramps, the airport authority may allocate additional parking spaces to FBOs, but it’s not advised to rely on this option as it is at the discretion of the airport authority and might not be provided if there was substantial congestion or large space given to static displays. You should consider parking at an alternative airport if overnight parking is not possible.
Other Parking Options
If you’re not able to park at LFPB, or if your aircraft has a wide wingspan you should consider an alternative option like Pontoise – LFPT or Charles de Gaulle – LFPG.
Pontoise – LFPT is located around 20 miles from LFPB but it is not an (AOE) and airport hours are usually 0800-2200 local with overtime available upon request. From last years experience with the Air Show LFPT may temporarily be designated as an airport of entry and airport operating hours may be also extended. The airport has full-service GA support.
Charles de Gaulle – LFPG is another good option only 6 miles away and also has full-service GA support. Take into consideration that scheduled commercial flights get higher priority. Airport slots are needed for LFPG and should be requested as soon as the schedule is known.
Accommodation & Transportation
During the Air Show period hotels in Paris and the surrounding areas are expected to be sold out. It is better to book in advance. However, if you are operating last-minute, you can find hotels for crew accommodations further out of the city.
Transportation
Local transport options should be arranged earlier as well, you can’t count on ride-sharing services like Uber, Chauffeur Privé, or Taxify because the vehicle should have a special sticker to allow it to enter LFPB airport. Only taxis are allowed to be in the airport without the sticker. Your agent or ground handler should be able to arrange transport and shuttle service for your from the ramp.
Security
Additional security measures will be evident during the Air Show period. military police will be stationed throughout the airfield of the airport. Expect additional checks for parked GA aircraft, to ensure the integrity of security at LFPB.
Accreditation
You need special accreditation prior to flying to LFPB during the Air Show. The permission should be requested a minimum of 7 days before operating.
In Conclusion
Arranging for the event can take time and could feel cumbersome if you are not familiar with the location. Keep an eye on (NOTAMs) and website/social media channels of the exhibit and airport.