Private Jet to Avignon: AVN Airport, Luberon and Alpilles

Avignon-Provence, a 1,880 m runway 8 km from the city

Avignon-Provence airport, run by the company of the same name and still listed as Avignon-Caumont in the French AIP, is a designated border crossing point: international flights clear formalities on site. Central Avignon is about ten minutes away by road, and exit 24 of the A7 motorway lies 3 km from the airport.

No scheduled flights, 62,059 non-commercial movements in 2025

Avignon-Provence has had no scheduled airline flights since 2023. The French airports union statistics record the break: 9,911 passengers in 2022, 3,758 the following year.

Activity changed character rather than stopping. In 2025 the field logged 62,059 non-commercial movements, against 56,133 in 2023: 40,618 local flights, flying clubs and pilot schools included, and 21,441 travel flights. Its 2,074 commercial movements carried 3,849 passengers, fewer than two per movement.

For passengers, the airport works like a private terminal: a 120 m2 Executive Lounge, parking in front of the terminal with no time limit, and access to the aircraft on foot or with your driver. A helicopter connection at the foot of the aircraft can be arranged.

1,880 m of runway, but 1,560 m to land on 35

The AIP publishes runway 17/35 at 1,880 by 45 m, while the airport's website gives 1,875 m. The figure that decides lies elsewhere. Displaced thresholds leave only 1,680 m to land on runway 17 and 1,560 m on runway 35, whereas the take-off run remains 1,880 and 1,870 m.

A second parameter appears in the AIP. For take-off on runway 17, the high-speed rail line is published as an obstacle 2,200 m from brake release, and it feeds into the maximum take-off weight calculation.

This is not a short runway. For a light or midsize jet, the check covers landing weight and runway condition, particularly on 35. The operator says it handles every aircraft type up to the BBJ; for a heavy jet or a long range aircraft carrying fuel, the performance calculation comes before any confirmation.

Opening hours: 21:30 on summer weekdays, 19:00 on Saturdays

As of mid-September 2026, the airport opens Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 21:30 in summer and until 21:00 in winter. On Saturdays it closes at 19:00 all year; on Sundays it operates from 08:00 to 20:00.

Those windows bind a business jet, because ground handling, mandatory above 3.5 tonnes, follows the operator's hours. The French airports union's listing for Avignon mentions an extension on request; our teams ask for it before confirming a late slot, never the day before.

In winter, the AIP states that de-icing is not provided: if the aircraft spends the night at Avignon before an early departure, a hangar has to be requested from the operator.

Customs on 24 hours' notice, including from London

Customs officers attend from 08:00 to 20:00 local time, on 24 hours' notice. An aircraft departing Farnborough or another of the London airports, outside the Schengen area, can therefore land at Avignon directly.

For aircraft above 3.5 tonnes flying to or from a non-Schengen country, the request goes through the MyHandling platform named in the AIP. The airport's own forms go in at least 24 hours ahead, listing crew and passengers with their passport numbers. The landing must also fall within customs hours, which rules out a 07:30 weekday arrival from London even though the airport opens at 07:00.

In July, the Festival closes the walled city to cars

Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon returns every July: its 80th edition took place in 2026, and as of mid-September the 2027 dates have not been published.

Throughout July, cars are barred from the historic centre from late morning until 02:00, authorised vehicles excepted, so your transfer ends at the ramparts. After an evening performance, the return flight in practice moves to the next morning, since the airport closes at 21:30.

Luberon and Alpilles: a Palace in Gordes, golf at Les Baux-de-Provence

In the Luberon, Airelles Gordes, La Bastide appears on Atout France's list of Palace hotels, updated on 2 June 2026. The hotel, with 34 rooms and 6 suites, quotes a drive of 30 minutes to an hour from Avignon and 45 minutes from Marseille-Provence airport.

At Les Baux-de-Provence, Domaine de Manville, a five-star hotel, combines 30 rooms, 9 villas, an 18-hole golf course and L'Aupiho, its Michelin-starred restaurant. It puts Avignon airport about 30 minutes away, Nîmes-Garons 40 and Marseille-Provence 45, and has its own heliport.

Avignon or Marseille-Provence: the first decision

By road, Avignon has the edge for the Alpilles, while Gordes is within reach of either. Marseille-Provence offers what its AIP entry publishes: a 3,500 m runway, with customs and air traffic control around the clock. A night flight, a long range departure at full load or a non-Schengen trip decided less than 24 hours ahead is simpler to arrange there, and that is where the comparison starts for travellers flying in from Dubai or New York. Our Marseille-Provence airport guide covers its FBOs.

Which aircraft from Nice, Geneva, Paris or London

Flights stay short: around half an hour from Nice or Lyon, about 40 minutes from Geneva, 1 hour 5 minutes from Paris-Le Bourget and 1 hour 35 minutes from London-Farnborough, orders of magnitude that the aircraft and the wind will shift.

• Pilatus PC-12: a turboprop for 6 passengers with baggage, on 30 to 40 minute sectors.
• Citation CJ3: a 6-passenger light jet, in the category from €4,000 per hour.
• Phenom 300: 7 seats in the same category, with the range to fly from London non-stop.
• Citation XLS: a midsize jet for 8 passengers, from €4,800 per hour, for a group or heavy baggage.

A heavy jet, from €6,500 per hour, raises the runway question with the first request. Our hourly rates by category are published, with no fixed fare for Avignon: the cost depends on the aircraft available, its positioning and your dates.

Arranging the flight with IBC Aviation from our Nice office

IBC Aviation operates no aircraft: we select the operator and check four points for every flight to or from Avignon.

• Landing: the aircraft's performance against the 1,560 m of runway 35.
• Timing: arrival and departure set against closing time and customs hours.
• Customs: 24 hours' notice and a complete manifest.
• Winter and larger aircraft: a hangar if the aircraft stays overnight, and category 6 rescue and firefighting cover requested 24 hours ahead.

Our Nice office, presented on our private jet charter in Nice page, is the closest to Avignon. An aircraft repositioning towards Provence sometimes opens up empty leg flights.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the private jet best suited to your itinerary and requirements, and organise your trip to or from your destination. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 92 372 4680
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

What landing distance does the Avignon-Provence runway offer?

Runway 17/35 measures 1,880 by 45 m according to the AIP, but its displaced thresholds leave only 1,680 m to land on runway 17 and 1,560 m on runway 35. Beyond a midsize jet, the aircraft's performance is calculated before any confirmation.

How late can a private jet take off from Avignon?

On weekdays, until 21:30 in summer and 21:00 in winter; on Saturdays until 19:00, on Sundays until 20:00. Ground handling, mandatory above 3.5 tonnes, follows these operator hours. An extension has to be requested in advance and is never guaranteed.

Can I fly from London straight to Avignon?

Yes. Avignon-Provence is a border crossing point, and customs attend from 08:00 to 20:00 on 24 hours' notice. The arrival form lists crew and passengers with their passport numbers; our teams submit it and time the landing within those hours.

Does Avignon airport still have scheduled flights?

No, not since 2023. Its traffic is business and leisure aviation: 62,059 non-commercial movements in 2025, according to the French airports union. Business travellers are received in a 120 square metre Executive Lounge, with parking in front of the terminal and no time limit.

Gordes or Les Baux-de-Provence: land at Avignon or Marseille?

Domaine de Manville puts Avignon about 30 minutes away, against 45 for Marseille-Provence. La Bastide de Gordes quotes 30 minutes to an hour from Avignon, and 45 minutes from Marseille-Provence. Open around the clock with a 3,500 m runway, Marseille-Provence better suits a night flight or a heavy long range aircraft.