Summary
- The F1 Monaco Grand Prix attracts affluent jet travelers for a luxury spectacle.
- Jet arrivals at Nice Airport for the event continue to fluctuate yearly.
- Monaco’s lavish events entice the rich, with several high-profile gatherings.
The F1 Monaco Grand Prix is one of the top can’t-miss social events on the calendar for affluent fliers who travel by jet. Following turf racing action at the Kentucky Derby and a jaw-dropping costume extravaganza at the Met Gala in the US, the rich and famous flock to France for the Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Prix, which follow on the heels of each other.

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“Held annually along the streets of Monte-Carlo in the Principality of Monaco, this spectacular event is a highlight on the annual events calendar with the world’s wealthiest individuals.
“The Monaco Grand Prix is considered one of Formula One’s most challenging races, attracting the crème de le crème of the racing world, alongside VIPs, A-list celebrities, and royalty.” – Relevance
While Cannes has its own airport for those who have marked the film festival dates on their calendars, the Principality of Monaco does not. Most business jets flying in for the races arrive at LFMN-Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, though some also fly to LFMD Aeropuerto de Cannes-Mandelieu, LFMF Fayence-Tourettes Airfield, LIMG Riviera Airport, or LIMZ Cuneo International Airport.
Estimating 2024 Monaco Grand Prix jet traffic
Just how many will fly into this year’s events will not be known until the flight data for May is published at the beginning of June, but we can likely expect a similar number to last year.

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According to data gathered by analysts at WINGX, during the Monaco Grand Prix from May 26-28 last year, business jet arrivals into Nice (LFMN) were down 7% compared to pre-COVID dates. A total of 367 jets flew into Nice in 2019, compared to 340 in 2023. However, the 2019 event ran over four days that year, whereas last year’s event ran over three days.

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By average daily arrivals, the 2023 Grand Prix increased 23.5% compared to 2019, with 113 daily arrivals compared to 92.
Over the past four races, the number of active aircraft has fluctuated, with last year’s race only 1.7% higher than in 2019.
2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nice Airport | 293 | 215 | 333 | 298 |
2022: A record jet-set year for the Monaco Grand Prix
In 2022, the Monaco Grand Prix set records for business jet flights, with arrivals into the Monaco GP airports 49% higher than during the event in 2019, according to WINGX. The 2022 Grand Prix had 409 business jet arrivals and 333 active aircraft during the event, which ran for over four days.

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Arrivals 3 Days Prior | Arrivals 2 Days Prior | Arrivals 1 Day Prior | Arrivals Day 1 | Arrivals Day 2 | Departures Day 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 87 | 163 | 222 | 191 | 136 | 223 |
2019 | 71 | 66 | 141 | 161 | 84 | 164 |
WINGX data, including LFMN-Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, LFMD Aeropuerto de Cannes-Mandelieu, LFMF Fayence-Tourettes Airfield, LIMG Riviera Airport, LIMZ Cuneo International Airport
Will a softening European business aviation market impact F1 Monaco Grand Prix traffic?
This year’s Grand Prix will take place over four days, with events from May 23 to 26, so the number of jets flying in for the Grand Prix could be higher than last year. However, overall business jet activity in Europe has softened.
Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace
WINGX reported that during the first week of May (week 18), business jet activity had dropped by 9% compared to the same week in 2023. Flight sectors declined 17% compared to last year, falling 1% below May 2019.
As WINGX analysts wrote in their most recent weekly update:
“All major bizjet airports are seeing declines this month, except for Luton, where activity is 15% ahead of last year, 1% ahead of 2019.”
According to WINGX, the UK—France connection was the busiest international country connection this month, down 6% year over year and 8% compared to 5 years ago.
It is hard to predict whether or how that softening business jet demand will impact the race, but we can look at historical data for guidance. Whatever softening business aviation demand so far this year in Europe will have a reduced impact on those flying into Nice headed to Monaco for racing action, especially with the event lasting longer this year.
A closer look at EBAA data around the Monaco Grand Prix May 2023
According to data compiled by EUROCONTROL and WINGX for the European Business Aviation Association, the total number of departures, arrivals, internals, and overflights was down 10% for May 2023 compared to May 2022. Still, these were 20% higher than in May 2021.

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EBAA data also shows that during week 21 of last year, when the Grand Prix took place, aircraft movements rose considerably from under 35,000 to nearly 40,000. This figure was still below the almost 45,000 aircraft movements in the week of the 2022 Grand Prix, but there was a similar spike of around 5,000 aircraft compared to the week before the Grand Prix, and this spike kept pace with week-to-week activity in 2021.
According to WINGX, the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix drew 508 business aviation arrivals during the five days of the event, 29% fewer than the 2019 event. Still, it significantly increased compared to only 78 business aviation arrivals during the same days in 2020, when organizers canceled the Monaco Grand Prix due to COVID-19.
What jets fly to the Monaco Grand Prix, and where do they fly from?
While the EBAA’s E-STAT database does not parse data for the week of the races, we can look to the monthly data for a guide. In May 2023, Nice was the second most active airport in Europe for business aviation, with 64.6 average daily departures. The Monaco Grand Prix contributed significantly to that traffic. According to WINGX, the event had an average of 113 daily business jet arrivals last year.

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The most common business jets flying to Nice during May of last year were Gulfstream-G600/650 ultra-long-range jets—41 aircraft flew to the airport during the month, making 73 arrivals. The average flight sector length was nearly three hours and 2,476.56 kilometers.
Business Jet Arrivals At Nice Airport In May 2023
Aircraft Type (ICAO) | Aircraft Airframe OEM | Aircraft Segment | Active Fleet | Arrivals | Average Sector Length (hrs) | Average Trip Distance (in km) |
Gulfstream-G600/650 | Gulfstream | Ultra Long Range Jet | 41 | 73 | 2.97 | 2476.56 |
Bombardier-Global Express/6000/6500 | Bombardier | Ultra Long Range Jet | 40 | 60 | 3.50 | 2891.77 |
Cessna-Citation Latitude | Cessna | Super Midsize Jet | 27 | 77 | 1.40 | 962.41 |
Gulfstream-GV/500/550 | Gulfstream | Ultra Long Range Jet | 22 | 32 | 3.68 | 3095.85 |
Embraer-Phenom 300 | Embraer | Light Jet | 21 | 62 | 1.44 | 954.05 |
Dassault-Falcon 2000 | Dassault | Heavy Jet | 18 | 44 | 1.80 | 1396.96 |
Bombardier-Challenger 300 / 350 | Bombardier | Super Midsize Jet | 15 | 30 | 1.87 | 1464.56 |
Bombardier-Challenger 600/601/604/605/650 | Bombardier | Heavy Jet | 14 | 23 | 2.47 | 1784.52 |
Bombardier-Global 7000 / 7500 | Bombardier | Ultra Long Range Jet | 14 | 18 | 3.47 | 2713.08 |
Cessna-Citation Excel / XLS | Cessna | Super Light Jet | 11 | 33 | 1.18 | 730.59 |
Gulfstream G300/350/400/450 | Gulfstream | Heavy Jet | 11 | 16 | 3.11 | 2675.79 |
Embraer-Legacy 500 / Praetor 600 | Embraer | Super Midsize Jet | 11 | 31 | 1.60 | 1209.24 |
Dassault-Falcon 900 | Dassault | Heavy Jet | 10 | 10 | 4.29 | 3908.28 |
Pilatus PC-24 | Pilatus | Super Light Jet | 10 | 20 | 1.14 | 687.83 |
Most arriving flights during the month originated in the UK, followed by Italy and France.
Departure Country | Flights |
United Kingdom | 128 |
Italy | 89 |
France | 73 |
Switzerland | 62 |
United States | 48 |
Spain | 38 |
Germany | 31 |
Netherlands | 24 |
Canada | 13 |
Portugal | 11 |
Business Jet Departures At Nice Airport In May 2023
The most common business jets departing from Nice during May of last year were Bombardier-Global Express/6000/6500 ultra-long-range business jets, with 41 aircraft making 59 departures. The average sector length was nearly three hours and 2,669.45 kilometers.
Photo: Bombardier
Aircraft Type (ICAO) | Aircraft Airframe OEM | Aircraft Segment | Active Fleet | Departures | Average Sector Length (hrs) | Average Trip Distance (in km) |
Bombardier-Global Express/6000/6500 | Bombardier | Ultra Long Range Jet | 41 | 59 | 2.96 | 2669.45 |
Gulfstream-G600/650 | Gulfstream | Ultra Long Range Jet | 39 | 75 | 3.044 | 2392.78 |
Cessna-Citation Latitude | Cessna | Super Midsize Jet | 27 | 75 | 1.27 | 877.50 |
Gulfstream-GV/500/550 | Gulfstream | Ultra Long Range Jet | 21 | 30 | 3.39 | 2768.36 |
Embraer-Phenom 300 | Embraer | Light Jet | 21 | 61 | 1.27 | 888.05 |
Dassault-Falcon 2000 | Dassault | Heavy Jet | 18 | 44 | 1.71 | 1361.77 |
Bombardier-Challenger 300 / 350 | Bombardier | Super Midsize Jet | 15 | 32 | 1.41 | 1049.79 |
Bombardier-Challenger 600/601/604/605/650 | Bombardier | Heavy Jet | 13 | 22 | 1.96 | 1514.09 |
Bombardier-Global 7000 / 7500 | Bombardier | Ultra Long Range Jet | 12 | 17 | 1.97 | 1732.60 |
Cessna-Citation Excel / XLS | Cessna | Super Light Jet | 11 | 32 | 1.33 | 878.77 |
Gulfstream G300/350/400/450 | Gulfstream | Heavy Jet | 10 | 15 | 2.14 | 1825.21 |
Embraer-Legacy 500 / Praetor 600 | Embraer | Super Midsize Jet | 10 | 29 | 1.50 | 1020.45 |
Pilatus PC-24 | Pilatus | Super Light Jet | 10 | 20 | 1.26 | 803.03 |

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Destination Regions from Nice in May 2023
The bulk (87%) of departures during the month were to destinations in Europe, with the top three destination countries being the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
Arrival Country | Flights |
United Kingdom | 121 |
France | 97 |
Italy | 88 |
Switzerland | 61 |
Spain | 44 |
United States | 35 |
Germany | 33 |
Austria | 13 |
Belgium | 11 |
Ireland | 11 |
Netherlands | 10 |
Photo: Dassault Aviation
Most flights departing from Nice in May flew to other European locations, while some headed for North America, Asia, and Europe.
Flights | % of total flights | |
Europe | 547 | 0.88 |
North America | 43 | 0.07 |
Asia | 29 | 0.05 |
Africa | 10 | 0.02 |
Destination Airport pairs from Nice in 2023
The top three destination airport pairs from Nice for the month around the Monaco Grand Prix were London Farnborough, Paris LeBourget, and London Luton.
Airport Pair | Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Flights | Trip Distance (in km) |
LFMN-EGLF | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | EGLF,FAB,Farnborough,London (GB) | 44 | 1192.69 |
LFMN-LFPB | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LFPB,LBG,Paris-Le Bourget,Paris (FR) | 36 | 800.06 |
LFMN-EGGW | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | EGGW,LTN,London Luton,London (GB) | 35 | 1235.28 |
LFMN-LSGG | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LSGG,GVA,Geneva Cointrin Intl.,Geneva (CH) | 33 | 344.47 |
LFMN-LIML | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LIML,LIN,Milano Linate,Milan (IT) | 18 | 296.32 |
LFMN-LSZH | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LSZH,ZRH,Zurich,Zurich | 17 | 501.89 |
LFMN-LIRA | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LIRA,CIA,Ciampino–G. B. Pastine Intl.,Rome (IT) | 14 | 559.30 |
LFMN-EGKB | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | EGKB,BQH,London Biggin Hill,London (GB) | 12 | 1161.20 |
LFMN-LIMJ | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LIMJ,GOA,Genoa Cristoforo Colombo,Genova | 12 | 177.79 |
LFMN-EHAM | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | EHAM,AMS,Amsterdam Schiphol,Amsterdam (NL) | 9 | 1126.02 |
LFMN-LIEO | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LIEO,OLB,Olbia Costa Smeralda,Olbia (SS) | 9 | 414.85 |
LFMN-LEIB | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LEIB,IBZ,Ibiza,Ibiza | 9 | 831.55 |
LFMN-EGWU | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | EGWU,NHT,RAF Northolt,London (GB) | 9 | 1203.80 |
LFMN-LEPA | LFMN,NCE,Nice-Côte d’Azur,Nice | LEPA,PMI,Palma De Mallorca,Mallorca | 9 | 677.83 |
Other significant Monaco events on the jet-set calendar
The Monaco Grand Prix is a highlight of the annual jet-set lifestyle calendar, but it’s not the only event at the Principality where one may expect an influx of private jets.

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The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Tournament in April and the Monaco Yacht Show in September also draw a crowd. WINGX data shows 516 flights into Nice from April 1-14 this year, with the Masters happening from the 6-14 of the month. That was down 2.1% over last year during the same period.
Photo: Blue Diamond Resorts
What can we predict for the world’s most prominent yacht show in September? We can expect a highbrow crowd to transfer from jet to yacht and back again. EBAA E-STAT data for September 2023 shows 574 business jet arrivals at Nice Airport during that month.

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