A symbol of luxury mobility, can the private jet meet the desires and wishes of all its passengers? Did you know that Europe has more than 3,000 airports to accommodate private jets? Can private jets really land everywhere? What conditions must it meet in order to land or take off? In this article, AEROAFFAIRES gives you all the answers.
What is a private jet?
A private jet is an aircraft smaller than a commercial aircraft designed to carry passengers privately. There are several categories of private jets.
Turboprops :
Private jets in the turboprop category are propeller-driven aircraft that use air in the engine to fly. The two main advantages of this category of aircraft are that they are :
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- capable of landing on short or very short runways
- economical. capable of landing on short or very short runways, using much less fuel than their competitors
- capable of carrying up to 19 passengers
Ultra-light private jets :
These small private jets are miniature airliners suitable for luxury and private aviation. With their luxurious and comfortable interior, they are capable of carrying up to 4 passengers across Europe. They are referred to as taxi planes. The popular Citation Mustang and Phenom 100 can be found in this category.
Light private jets :
This category of private jet is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers on board, over distances of up to 3,200 km. These private jets are equipped with comfortable seats and toilets for the comfort of the passengers.
Midsize jets :
Intermediate private jets are jets with a maximum capacity of 10 passengers. They can fly longer (4,000 km range) and faster than smaller private jets. The Challenger 3 500, the Legacy 500 and the Learjet 70 are in this category.
Long range jet :
These long-haul private jets offer a very high level of comfort to the 16 privileged passengers who can board these aircraft. Configured to accommodate VIP passengers, the space is flexible and luxurious. Beds, a work area and a meeting room can be found in the long-haul private jets. These aircraft are designed for long-haul flights such as Paris-New York. In 2022, the last private jet to be released on the market is the Falcon 10X.
VIP Airliners :
This category of aircraft is reserved for VIP customers. They are commercial aircraft transformed and adapted to the needs of this clientele. They have the capacity to carry up to 30 passengers.
What are the conditions for a private jet to land ?
With this notion of private aircraft, one might think that there are privileges allowing aircraft to take off and land anywhere, anytime. However, although they are intended for privileged passengers, private jets are subject to aeronautical regulations.
Indeed, to land or take off several elements must be taken into account:
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- The size of the aircraft
- The weather conditions
- The type of runway (size, components and environment)
Where can private jets land ?
Private jets have access to 1,500 runways at more than 3,000 aerodromes compared to 300 for commercial aviation.
If the runway is asphalt and of sufficient size, then private jets of any category can land there.
Private jets can land at altiports, aerodromes or even international airports if there is a terminal for business aviation.
In what situations may a private jet not land ?
There are several situations in which a private jet is not allowed to land.
Night flight regulations prohibit take-offs and landings:
The first situation in which private jets are not allowed to land or take off is due to noise and nuisance regulations. To preserve the peace and quiet of local residents, some airports close at night and do not allow any movements at set times.
The type of runway does not allow for landing :
The second situation that does not allow private jets to land concerns the runway and its configuration. Indeed, depending on the type of runway, for example in the mountains or on short or grassy runways, most private jets are not allowed to land for safety reasons. This is the case, for example, at the Courchevel or Gstaad altiports.
Commercial airports are generally not the airports selected for landing :
Private jets generally do not land at commercial airports, even if they can. It is more suitable and comfortable for their passengers to land at airports that are close to their final destination and that preserve their anonymity. These are often smaller airports. Some commercial airports, such as London Heathrow, do not allow private jets to land there except in emergencies.
Military airports prohibit the movement of private jets on their grounds :
Finally, private jets may not land at military airports or airfields.
What are the options if a private jet cannot land at an airport ?
If the configuration of the runway does not allow private jets to land there, then other solutions are possible.
At AEROAFFAIRES, as air charter experts, we are able to find solutions for all our customers’ needs.
For example, to enable our clients to reach the ski areas of Courchevel or Gstaad, we charter a turboprop that is authorised to fly and land on short, enclosed slopes. This is the Aviator.
We can also arrange helicopter flights from an airport to the final destination. The helicopter has the advantage of being able to land easily, even on steep terrain.
Finally, it is possible to request waivers to land at a particular airfield or airport.
Even if private jets cannot land everywhere, as we have seen, the AEROAFFAIRES team is able to find alternatives so that its customers land as close as possible to their final destination and in the necessary safety conditions. The world of business aviation has the ability to adapt.
