La vie en rose
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Posted Date: 01/12/2007
Issue: Executive & VIP Aviation International December 2007
Publication: Executive & VIP Aviation International
The prevailing heyday for private aviation is well documented; the continuation of this boom is also predicted. According to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), limiting factors are more like to be linked to inappropriate infrastructure and outmoded airport facilities than economic conditions and the desire to own and operate aircraft. In France, key business jet airports are making sure they are ready and able to benefit from the surge in demand for private flight. So what does this growth entail in tangible terms? Honeywell Aerospace has forecasted massive increases in fractional ownership and jet cards which will inevitably place pressure on airport operators. The aerospace company has estimated there will be a delivery of 14,000 new business aircraft from 2007 through to 2017, generating industry sales of $233 billion. Very light jets (VLJs) and new aircraft models are attracting a new breed to the private aviation sector; this is a community that will have its own expectations of airport infrastructure and facilities. Airports in France that wish to be associated with the private jet market are having to consider renovating their airfields, providing new hangar space, introducing exclusivity at their terminals, providing virtual business office space and delivering an all-round working environment; but accessibility remains the number one concern.
The French blueprint
As airports across Europe reconsider their attractiveness to the private jet set, could it be that French airport operators have developed the blueprint to success? After all, the French aviation industry has been reinforcing the importance of developing appropriate and accessible business jet airport infrastructure and facilities since 2001, when the Chamber of Commerce and Administrative Establishments of Airports – the organisation representing most airports in France – formed an alliance, signing what is known as the Charter of Commitments. Rodolfo Baviera, President of EBAA France, signed the charter with the French airports of Ancenis, Avignon, Cannes-Mandelieu, Le Castellet, Lyon-Bron, Nice Riviera, Paris Le Bourget and Le Touquet. This collective group, also known as the French Business Airports (FBA) came together to formalise their commitment to develop infrastructure adapted to the specifics of business aviation (in harmony with the environment); propose top quality service to customers while maintaining competitive pricing; and encourage political, economic and institutional decision makers to promote business aviation.
The charter’s main concern was to develop regional airports in France but, in order to operate successfully as a business jet airport, it was determined in the charter that regional airports would have to develop a zone dedicated to business aviation at their airport sites. Such zones should, it was decided, offer first class services and facilities, and place the passenger at the centre of airport operations.
The charter, signed by the eight French business airports, also emphasises the importance of noise sensitivity and environmental issues. These airports are keen to demonstrate their environmental credentials. Le Castellet is the only airport which is privately owned – by Sir Ecclestone’s family trust – but it has built long-standing relationships with the community. Both Lyon-Bron and Cannes have taken positive steps to adhere to community requests and Lyon-Bron has a pro-active development policy, working closely with neighbouring municipalities and residents. At Cannes, an Environment Charter has been implemented.
It is in this climate of rapid growth and development that we spoke to the airports of Avignon (south France), Cannes-Mandelieu (South France), Le Castellet (south-east France) and Lyon-Bron (South-East France). They revealed how they have ramped up the services they are making available to the business aviation community.
Achievements on the ground
With a great deal of investment being poured into airport infrastructure, most of these airports are beautifully designed, aesthetically pleasing and offer an array of facilities. It is worth remembering that small French airports, in particular, tend to be owned by municipalities, often in conjunction with other regional bodies and organisations, such as the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in France. Of 42 French airports known to us, 34 are owned and managed in whole or in part by these ubiquitous organisations. Business airports in France are generally at different stages of reaching their goals and objectives but the facilities to date are shown in Table 1. There is plenty of development underway amongst these airports. For example, Avignon is a small business airport which has recently built a new departure and arrival hall. Avignon accommodates passengers in an exclusive installation organised around living rooms and offices equipped comfortably for business and leisure. This airport’s ambition is to facilitate the reception of high net worth customers.
Cannes-Mandelieu has already achieved significant development of its airport infrastructure for the private jet traveller. Now the airport is gearing its investment towards environmental strategies. Every year the airport holds a conference in which schools, councillors and local people meet to discuss the environmental impact of the airport.
Further, Le Castellet airport is a leading international business airport dedicated to business aviation. It has been modernised and up-to-date technology has been installed. Customs services are now available and new runway lighting enables 24 hour operations. Philippe Gurdjian, President and CEO of Le Castellet, says: “We continuously develop the airport to ensure increasing levels of safety”. The airport is also considering building new facilities to hangar Boeing Business jets.
Lyon-Bron’s plans are far more detailed. An airport dedicated to business and recreation use, Lyon-Bron has made immense changes and developed the airport each year, thereby adding to its appeal for aviation related activities. In 2006, the airport restored the air terminal and installed a de-icing service. In October 2007, a new aircrew lounge was created, providing views of the aircraft, and creating faster WIFI connections. Plans for 2008 and 2009 include new runway re-surfacing and a new restaurant.
Traffic volumes up
Given the extent of these advancements, what have these new developments meant for traffic and volumes? All four airports have reported increased volumes of business jet traffic. There is a clear correlation between excellence in services and customer needs, as noted by Gurdjian of Le Castellet. “Modernisation has placed Le Castellet in a very interesting place. Business jet traffic has been growing rapidly in the past few years and will only increase, as we organise the services to meet customer demands.” Eric Dumas, Airport Manager of Lyon-Bron comments: “The introduction of FBO services in 2005 partly explains the growth in movements by airlines from outside Bron. Business flights are increasing, and airlines have understood the interest of the Lyon airports system. Lyon-Bron is dedicated to business flights. We guarantee specific services for the business aviation sector and we combine availability, confidentiality, high efficiency, quality handling and user-friendliness.”
Avignon has reported a 10% increase in traffic. Umberto Vallino, spokesperson for southern region airports, says business aviation in the South of France was up from 10,024 aircraft movements in 2004 to 11,772 in 2006. By august of 2007, it was already up by 9,983. Forecasts suggest that by the end of 2007 this number will rise to record-breaking figures of 13,500. There has been a huge advance in terms of traffic volumes in the southern region.
Vallino comments: “A business airport is not a destination for our passengers.” Passengers land and need to go quickly to their chosen destination. An airport’s task is simply to make the landing and arrival as swift as possible, giving passengers an opportunity to feel less pressure. For this reason most airport operators are providing passenger services to equip easy transportation out of the airport as well as lounges, restaurants, leisure and recreation facilities, flight planning, free beverages, courtesy cars, faster internet access, car parks, office spaces and lounges. Most of the traffic arriving at all four airports is domestic, but there is a significant quantity of flights from Europe, including eastern Europe, but also from the US, UK and Russia.
The rise of Jets
In France, business airports have undoubtedly benefited from coming together as an alliance as it gives them clear objectives to meet. All the airports we spoke to had seen an increase in fractional ownership and air taxi flights. At Cannes, Vallino notes: “In the last year, we have noticed an increase of fractional ownership and air taxi flights and we expect this to increase greatly. NetJets represents 14% of our business aviation trade, followed by the Flying Group (4%).”
Gurdjian at Le Castellet, is passionate about attracting more air taxi operators and fractional owners to the airport. “We would really like to see this type of activity grow and are certainly excited about the prospects of future development,” he enthuses. All these airports welcome all types of aircraft. Weight restrictions of 22 tonnes apply at Cannes and a maximum of 50 tonnes at Le Castellet. Avignon has observed more long-range, large-cabin aircraft alongside new smaller business aircraft and at Lyon-Bron taxi-operations have increased and there have been mid-range and long-range aircraft landing at the airport.
The way forward
These regional airports have become key players in the business aviation community. Not only have they bridged alliances within France, but they have become key players throughout Europe. The superb facilities offered by these French airports have won a series of accolades. The staff of Cannes-Mandelieu Airport were rewarded by EBAA in 2005 and Nice Côte d'Azur Airport won the Airport Impact Marketing Award three times in five years. Le Bourget has been recognised for establishing technological advances in training pilots and safety issues by the National Business Aviation Association and Le Castellet has been acknowledged for growing from a small airfield in 1999 into an international VIP airport today.
The achievements of the FBA have been remarkable given the short period in which it has come together. Perhaps the French model of business airports working together for the benefit of the industry is indeed the way forward and is a model of which airport communities elsewhere should take note.
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