Paris Le Bourget: Europe's Business Aviation Capital

Paris Le Bourget is the French capital's dedicated business aviation airport, 6.5 nm (12 km) north-north-east of the city. It has three runways, the longest just under 3,000 m, a row of competing FBOs and no airline traffic at all. By movements it is the busiest business aviation airport in Europe, handling everything from light jets on a day trip to ultra-long-range aircraft arriving from the Gulf or North America.

A historic field with one job

Le Bourget was Paris's main airport between the wars. Charles Lindbergh landed there in 1927 at the end of the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic, and the old terminal now houses the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace. Airline flying moved to Orly and Charles de Gaulle in the decades after the war, and the French AIP now states plainly that the airport is closed to scheduled commercial and charter airline traffic.

That leaves a field run by Groupe ADP for business aviation, including private charter on business jets. In the European Business Aviation Association's figures for 2022 it logged a little over 60,000 movements, more than any other European airport for business flights.

Runways and what they allow

The main runway, 07/25, is 2,991 m long, enough for any business jet in normal conditions, including the ultra-long-range types. Runway 03/21 at 2,395 m and runway 09/27 at 1,847 m add flexibility, although 09/27 is restricted: runway 27 may be used for landing and runway 09 for take-off only by aircraft with a wingspan below 52 m. The airport is closed to aircraft with a wingspan of 65 m or more, a limit that affects only the largest airliners, not business jets or bizliners.

The night rule that sets departure times

Le Bourget's services run around the clock, but a ministerial rule shapes the late evening: no jet may leave its stand for take-off between 22:15 and 06:00 local time. Landings are less constrained. Jets not certified to the quieter noise standards (Chapter 3, 4 or 14) may not land between 23:30 and 06:15, and the noisiest older types face permanent limits, but a modern business jet can arrive late.

In practice, a Paris dinner followed by a same-night departure needs the passengers back at the FBO with time to spare, while a late arrival into Paris is usually possible. If an evening meeting may overrun, ask the operator for a plan B before the day, whether that is an early morning departure or a different airport.

Several FBOs, one airport

Le Bourget has several FBOs side by side along its aprons, each with its own lounge and ramp access. The choice is usually made by the operator or the broker, often on the basis of where the aircraft will park and what the handling costs. Passengers notice the difference mainly in how quickly formalities are completed and how close the car can come to the aircraft. If you have a preference, say so when booking.

The guide to FBO fees explains how handling, parking and fuel appear on a quote, and flying private for the first time walks through the arrival itself, from the car to the cabin door.

Air show years and busy weeks

Every second year, in June of odd-numbered years, the Paris Air Show takes over the airport. The next edition is scheduled for 14 to 20 June 2027. Show weeks bring exhibition aircraft, flying displays and a surge of business traffic, and parking and handling are in heavy demand, so anyone planning to use Le Bourget in that period should book early and expect special procedures. Large events in Paris, from fashion weeks to major sporting fixtures, create smaller peaks of their own.

Getting into Paris

The airport lies beside the A1 motorway north of the city, so central Paris is reached by car, with journey times that depend on traffic around the périphérique more than on distance. For a trip from outside Europe, Range Check shows which aircraft reach Paris nonstop from a given departure airport.

Questions

How far is Le Bourget from central Paris?

The French AIP places Le Bourget 6.5 nm, about 12 km, north-north-east of Paris. The drive follows the A1 motorway into the city, and the time depends mainly on traffic around the périphérique.

Can you fly out of Le Bourget at night?

Only within limits. The airport's services run around the clock, but no jet may leave its stand for take-off between 22:15 and 06:00 local time. Late arrivals are generally possible for modern business jets.

Are there commercial flights at Le Bourget?

There are no scheduled or charter airline flights; the AIP closes the airport to that traffic. Private charter on business jets is part of business aviation and uses the airport every day.

When is the Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget?

The show takes place in June of odd-numbered years. The next edition is scheduled for 14 to 20 June 2027, and demand for parking and handling is very high around those dates.

Figures checked 19 October 2026. Prices are indicative and never a quote. Seen something out of date? Tell the editors.