Private Jet Activity Around The F1 Monaco Grand Prix

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

Panorama_von_Monaco-La_Turbie

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.

G800 cabin interior

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.

Bombardier Challenger 650 Exterior Ground
Photo: Bombardier

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
Cessna Citation Mustang Price Custom Thumbnail
Photo: Simple Flying

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.

A Bombardier Global 6000 flying in the sky.

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
Inside the main cabin area of a Dassault Falcon 900LX.

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.

Aerial view of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

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.

Royalton Jet-Inclusive_Private Jet (2)

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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