Next month, the International Paris Air Show returns to the French Capital. Held bi-annually, this key industry event is renowned as the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world.
The Biggest Air Show on Earth
Established in 1909, the Paris Air Show is currently held at Le Bourget Airport in the north of the city. This year marks the 52nd edition of the event. The show is organized by the French aerospace industry’s main body, the Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS). According to GIFAS figures, the 2015 show attracted 149,947 industry professionals, 201,637 members of the public and 4,359 journalists from more than 70 countries.
The Paris Air Show acts as an important showcase for aerospace companies to demonstrate the latest military and civilian aircraft to potential customers. All of the best-known international manufacturers exhibit at the show, which is attended by military representatives and corporate buyers from every corner of the globe. Key decision makers gather in Paris to do business, with many major sales contracts expected to be announced over the course of the weeklong event.
Held every two years, the International Paris Air Show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.
Watch as the Latest Aircraft Take to the Skies
The Paris Air Show is a hotbed of innovation, and a popular platform for launching new aircraft. New models on display at the 2015 event included the Dassault Falcon 8X, the Airbus A350 XWB and the Bombardier CS300. Overall, almost 130 airplanes, helicopters and drones were on display, both in the sky and on the ground. The first four days of the show are reserved for trade visitors, followed by three days which are open to the general public.
More than Just an Air Show
In addition to the static and aerial exhibitions, industry attendees can benefit from a series of conferences and workshops. These will take place on the 20th and 21st June, and cover the following topics:
“Strategic and critical issues of a global supply chain”
Panel discussion aimed at improving the operational performance of suppliers.
“How to do business with?” conferences
These sessions are exclusively presented by large OEMs, and aim to provide those in the industry with a deeper understanding of supply chain strategies.
“International Aerospace Markets” conferences
Three assemblies, focusing on US cybersecurity requirements, the Turkish defense industry, and the Moroccan aerospace sector.
A Must-attend Event
The Paris Air Show is a major highlight in the industry calendar. It remains the key meeting point for manufacturers and buyers, and offers unique opportunities to network, learn and do business. Visitors attending the Paris Air Show find themselves at the heart of the action, where decisions are made and the future course of the global aviation industry is determined.
The International Paris Air Show takes place from Monday, June 19 – Sunday, June 25, 2017. For further details on the event, please visit the official website.
Flying to Le Bourget for the Paris Air Show
Paris Le Bourget (IATA: LBG, ICAO: LFPB) is Europe’s busiest airport for private jets. The airport caters specifically to General Aviation (GA) traffic, and offers multiple services aimed at business aviation customers. Central Paris can be accessed by car within around 45 minutes.
Landing Permits, Slots and Parking
All non-EU registered charter flights must first obtain a landing permit. In general, these take around five working days to process. Paris Le Bourget does not have allocated slots, and there are no limits on GA traffic. The only real restriction in place is that aircraft with wingspans over 53 meters must use a special parking area. These parking slots are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Hangarage is also available at Paris Le Bourget, including for larger aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet series and Airbus Corporate Jets. The hangars can accommodate planes with a maximum tail height of 12 meters, and wingspans of up to 40 meters.
Operating Restrictions During the Paris Air Show
With flight demonstrations taking place daily from June 19-25, LFPB’s runway will be closed to all other operations during the event period. Airport closure times have been issued in the French Supplemental Aeronautical Information Publication (SUP AIP). This contains detailed information regarding operating times, curfews, and no-fly zones. Please click here to download a copy of the full report.
Note that for all operations to LFPB between 19 and 25 June 2017, both the pilot and aircraft will require accreditation from the airport authorities. Completing this process will take between one and two weeks, and involves submission of operator information, pilot licenses and aircraft documentation.
It is the responsibility of aircraft operators to request this accreditation from the prefecture in charge of security and safety of Le Bourget airports. This can be done using an online form, which should be sent together with the required supporting documents. Click here to visit the online portal.
Be aware that the day following the end of the show will be especially congested with aircraft movements. For operations departing prior to June 25, crew should arrive at least two hours prior to departure. For departures on June 26, it is strongly advised to arrange fuel uplifts the day before, and to be at the airport at least three hours ahead of scheduled departure time.
Jetex in Paris
Attending the Paris Air Show? Jetex operates a state-of-the-art FBO at the venue, Paris Le Bourget Airport. We deliver a full range of trip support services, including jet refueling, aircraft parking and ground handling. Click here to find out more about our Paris Le Bourget FBO.
Beyond the airport, you can trust our friendly and knowledgeable concierge staff to look after every aspect of your stay in Paris. From arranging chauffeur-driven limos, to securing the best accommodation or reserving tables at the finest restaurants, our team can cater to all requirements. Read more about our concierge services here.
Contact us today to arrange your trip on +33 17 437 2522 or fbo-lbg@jetex.com.
Jetex FBO Terminal
6-8 rue Henri Lossier,
Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget,
93350 Le Bourget, France
