Euro Jet is ready to help you take to the skies for the Paris Summer Olympics! Get ready for an exciting summer filled with international competition and unforgettable experiences. As you plan your flight, we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the bustling skies and ensure a smooth journey.
The Olympic Buzz: Key Dates and Airport Restrictions
The opening ceremony will light up the Seine River on July 26th in Paris, marking the start of two weeks of thrilling competition, culminating on August 11th. The Paralympic Games will then follow, from August 28th to September 8th.
To make sure your flight goes off without a hitch, be aware of some important airport restrictions during this time.
Navigating Airport Restrictions: Safety and Smooth Operations
To ensure safety and smooth operations during the Olympics, French airports will be implementing special procedures. These procedures will start on July 12th and continue until September 16th, a significant period.
The skies will be particularly busy on the days before and after the opening and closing ceremonies. On the evening of July 26th, during the opening ceremony, Parisian airspace within a 150 km radius will be completely closed from 7:00 PM to midnight local time. This includes all major Paris airports.
Even overflights will be affected, with only emergency flights allowed to proceed. No flights will be permitted at Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG), Paris Orly (LFPO), Paris Le Bourget (LFPB), and Beauvais (LFOB) between 1530z and 2200z. Ground transportation will also face restrictions.
Secure Your Slots and Support Services
Mandatory airport slots will be in place for all Paris area airport movements throughout the Olympics.
Don’t wait to book your slots, parking, and ground support services! These are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with high demand and limited parking options.
Once your slot is confirmed, avoid making any changes to your schedule, as this could result in losing your slot and parking space, potentially putting you on a waiting list.
Be prepared for congestion! It’s wise to have alternative airports outside of the Paris area in mind for repositioning. Remember, airport availability depends on customs availability, and smaller airports might not have English-speaking air traffic control available on weekends. Check out our handy Airport Guide below for some great alternatives.
Operationally Speaking: Important Considerations
Keep these additional operational details in mind when planning your flight:
- Fuel and catering: Avoid ordering these on short stops unless absolutely necessary. It’s best to take catering from your previous destination.
- Ground staffing: Limited staffing might cause delays.
- Pricing: Service costs are significantly higher than usual during the Olympics, with non-refundable fees. Carefully review booking terms before confirming.
- Hotel bookings: Wait to book your hotel until your slot is confirmed.
- Ground transportation: Expect road closures, delays, and high prices. Consider using helicopter transportation for time-sensitive situations.
Navigating Major Parisian Airports: Schedules and Slot Requirements
Understanding the specific operational requirements of each airport is crucial:
Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG):
* Orange periods: July 24-28, August 3-5, August 10-12; Slot window: 20 minutes (a slot for 1305 provides a slot window from 1300 to 1319).
* Green period: July 12-September 16; Slot window: 1 hour (a slot for 1305 provides a slot window from 1300 to 1359).
* Slot ID numbers: Enter in box 18 of the flight plan.
* Priority: State that the flight is related to the Olympics to receive priority.
* Crew and passenger pre-clearance: Mandatory. Specific GENDECs forms must be provided and submitted for all crew and flight. No changes are allowed to crew and passenger lists after deadlines.
* Flight restrictions: No departures between 2159z and 0300z, and no arrivals between 2230z and 0330z.
* Business aircraft: Allowed only if passengers are connecting to/from an airline or the flight is directly connected to the Olympics. Priority for ad hoc flights with 25+ seats is given to Olympic-related flights.
Paris Orly (LFPO):
* H24 with night restrictions: 2315z to 0615z.
* Business aircraft: Allowed only if passengers are connecting to/from an airline or the flight is directly connected to the Olympics. Priority for ad hoc flights with 25+ seats is given to Olympic-related flights.
* Extension: Possible only for scheduled flights.
Explore Alternative Airports: Convenient Options for GA Traffic
For General Aviation traffic:
- Albert Airport (LFAQ): About 2 hours from Paris city center. No slots required. High traffic not expected.
- Pontoise (LFPT): 1.5 hours from Paris city center. No slots required.
- Vatry (LFOK): 3 hours from Paris. No slots required.
- Lille Airport (LFQQ): 2.5 hours from Paris. Slots coordinated from July 12 to September 16. General Aviation hours between 0400z and 1900z, with extensions possible.
- Marseille Provence (LFML): H24 with restrictions. Coordinated from July 16 to August 11.
- Bordeaux (LFBD): H24. Coordination possible from July 23 to August 4 (TBD by French CAA).
- Toulouse (LFBO), Lyon (LFLL), and Chambley (LFJY): Good alternatives for overnight repositioning within France.
Euro Jet: Your Trusted Partner for a Seamless Olympic Experience
Euro Jet is proud to be part of the Olympic spirit, providing reliable and efficient aviation services for the Games in Paris. We are connected to a network of trusted ground support partners in key locations around the world.
Our team has been closely monitoring all developments related to the Paris Olympics at local airports. We maintain a database of relevant details, enabling us to provide our customers with up-to-date information about any airport in the area.
Euro Jet can also react quickly to any situation, repositioning flights between airports as needed. We are a one-stop-shop solution, ensuring seamless operations for all your flight needs.
Contact our Sales Team or Operations Center for any questions or assistance with your flights to France this summer!
