If the recent Super Bowl in Las Vegas was any indication, mitigation efforts to accommodate almost double the number of private jets over available parking slots kept aviation authorities busy at several Vegas-area airports. With such a big event in place, the US FAA had a special traffic management procedure in place to alleviate over-saturation in the airspace while adding additional take off and landing slots for the big game.

Although a common practice worldwide for large events, available infrastructure is the key piece in the puzzle and the lack of it will overwhelm any mitigation plans in place. In recent years, Europe has faced an increasingly pressing issue for its parking ecosystem, with a shortage of slots for private jet parking, particularly in its top destinations.

One of the key factors exacerbating this crisis is the concentration of private jet traffic in popular tourist and business destinations such as Paris, Rome and the Greek Isles. These locations attract a constant stream of private jet travellers, particularly during peak seasons, resulting in fierce competition for limited parking slots. It also doesn’t help that parking areas in Zürich and Athens are under construction for two more years and many airports are actively trying to ban private aircraft access to the airport itself.

The consequences of this shortage are far reaching. Not only does it inconvenience private jet travellers who may face delays or diversions to alternative airports, but it also has broader implications for the aviation industry and local economies, as well as adding more carbon emissions due to more repositioning legs. Moreover, businesses reliant on private jet traffic, such as FBOs, aircraft operators and service providers, may suffer losses due to decreased efficiency and revenue.

Furthermore, the lack of available parking slots can impact the overall efficiency of air traffic management, leading to congestion, delays and potential safety concerns. In a time when the aviation industry is striving to improve sustainability and reduce emissions, the inefficiencies caused by the private jet parking crisis represent a step backward.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration between airports, aviation authorities and private jet operators. Firstly, there is a need for improved infrastructure investment to expand parking facilities at key airports and develop alternative solutions such as remote parking areas with efficient shuttle services.

In Greece, for instance, compliance with the Hellenic CAA regulations mandates applying for slots 14 days prior to the date of flight across all airports. While Prior Permission Required (PPR) is required universally, parking availability varies; Athens International airport allows a maximum 12 hour stay for all flights, while destinations like Mykonos and Santorini do not offer overnight parking.

However, Thessaloniki and Kos airports operate 24/7 and accommodate overnight parking, though Kos requires slot coordination. Travellers should note that approvals are necessary from each airport authority.

France also has its challenges. The upcoming Olympics in Paris poses a test for aircraft parking facilities, with Paris-Le Bourget airport expected to undergo high demand. Quick turns and alternative airports like Pontoise, Châlons Vatry and Troyes-Barberey are being explored by the Icarus Jet trip support team.

Notably, overflying Paris airspace will be prohibited during the opening ceremony on 26 July. Specific airports like Nice Côte d’Azur and Paris-Le Bourget have parking restrictions during significant events, while Paris Orly requires adherence to certain conditions for operation.

Where airports pose slot allocation challenges, travellers may explore alternative options, including helicopter transportation to secondary airports. In Greece, private jets can land and stay the night in Kos and reposition via helicopter to Mykonos, which is usually the preferred destination for our travellers.

This is a good option for the South of France, Nice specifically, Greece and Zürich – landing overnight in Basel while repositioning to the Swiss city via a helicopter or a cost-effective turboprop like the Pilatus PC-12. Yet this option is not available to all destinations, as in the case of London, where there is only one helipad in the city centre which won’t save enough time to justify its use. It is, of course, essential to coordinate with the relevant authorities for clearance before planning repositioning flights.
The allocation of parking slots must be managed more effectively, perhaps through a transparent and equitable system that considers factors such as flight frequency, aircraft size and environmental impact. Implementing reservation systems and peak-time pricing strategies could also help alleviate congestion and distribute demand more evenly.

Moreover, the impact of commercial airlines in this crisis cannot be understated; it takes priority over most of these airports as Europe lacks GA airports like those in the US. Airlines in the post-COVID era have increased the purchase of aircraft and now require more gates and ramp areas. The aforementioned construction of more ramps in both Athens and Zürich, once planned for general aviation, will be converted to airline parking.

The current parking issue not only poses immediate challenges for travellers and industry stakeholders but also undermines the sustainability narrative of the private jet sector. As the world increasingly focuses on reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, the perception of private aviation as an exclusive and environmentally damaging mode of transportation is a significant concern.

The congestion and inefficiencies resulting from the parking crisis only serve to reinforce this perception, detracting from the industry’s efforts to promote sustainable practices. Without addressing the parking issue and its broader implications, the private jet sector risks falling behind in the transition to a more sustainable aviation future.