Private Jet to Brive: BVE Airport, Runway, Hours and FBO

Brive Vallée de la Dordogne, the gateway to the Périgord

The airport opened on 15 June 2010, replacing Brive-Laroche aerodrome, which closed the same day: its industrial surroundings no longer allowed traffic to grow. The new field was built at Nespouls, on the boundary between Corrèze and Lot, and therefore between Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie.

A 2,100 metre runway that opens almost the whole fleet

At 2,100 metres and with a modest field elevation, Brive does not impose the performance constraints found at mountain airfields or short coastal strips.

In practice every category from very light to long range operates there in most configurations. Only a long range aircraft at maximum weight, full fuel and full cabin, warrants a dedicated performance calculation. That is a check we run systematically before confirming the aircraft.

The east-west orientation of the runway, 11/29, aligns it with the prevailing winds of the valley, which limits awkward crosswind components.

The real point of attention: opening hours

This is the constraint comparison sites never mention, and it is the one that decides whether your flight is feasible.

Brive is not open continuously. As of mid-2026 the airport operates mainly Monday to Friday during the day, with Saturday and Sunday opening limited to the summer peak season. Outside those windows, and for much of the year, weekends are closed. These hours change from season to season: they are published on the airport's official site and should be checked with every request.

The direct consequence for business aviation: an early morning departure, a late return or an out-of-season weekend flight requires an exceptional opening arranged in advance. It is possible, it is chargeable, and it cannot be improvised the day before.

AFIS rather than a control tower: what it changes

Brive operates on AFIS, an aerodrome flight information service, rather than permanent aerodrome control. The frequency is activated according to the flight programme.

The difference is real. Under AFIS the officer provides information rather than clearances: separation remains the crews' responsibility. That poses no difficulty for a professional crew, but it does mean that rescue and firefighting services must be activated for your flight if it falls outside the scheduled windows.

The airport offers an extension of those services on request. That is exactly what our teams coordinate with the operator when your schedule requires it.

Ground handling and contacts

Ground handling is provided by the airport's own handling service, which covers the standard requirements of business aviation.

• Ground handling, business hours: +33 5 55 22 40 00
• Handling: handlingbrive@aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com
• Flight notification: ops@aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com
• Address: 4 zone aéroportuaire Nord, 19600 Nespouls

A flight notification form is made available by the operator and must be sent to the operations service. In practice our teams put that file together for you, along with the request for extended hours where one is needed.

Which private jet for Brive

With runway length not a limiting factor, the choice comes down to distance and passenger count rather than take-off performance.

• Phenom 300: 6 to 8 passengers, the standard on a sector from Paris or Geneva.
• Citation CJ3: 6 passengers, the leanest option for a same-day return.
• Citation XLS: 8 to 9 passengers, stand-up cabin, suited to a group or a longer stay.
• PC-12: an economical turboprop on short sectors from Bordeaux, Lyon or Toulouse.

Every aircraft is listed on our fleet page, and the brackets by category on our private jet rental cost page.

What the airport actually serves

Brive covers a territory that scheduled aviation serves poorly: the Périgord, northern Lot and Corrèze. It is the natural gateway to Sarlat, Rocamadour, Collonges-la-Rouge and the Dordogne valley, all within an hour by road.

It is also a region of estates and seasonal residences, where arrivals concentrate on summer weekends, precisely when opening hours widen. Conversely, a weekend arrival in October or February calls for particular preparation.

The other airfields across south-west France are set out on our private jet airports page.

Chartering to or from Brive with IBC Aviation

As an independent broker we settle three points before confirming a flight to Brive: the aircraft's compatibility with the runway and the planned payload, the airport's availability at your chosen time, and where necessary the request for extended opening with the operator. That third point is what separates a completed booking from a flight cancelled the day before. See also our empty leg flights and our guide on range by aircraft category.

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 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

How long is the runway at Brive?

The runway measures 2,100 by 45 metres, oriented 11/29, at 310 metres of elevation. It takes every category from very light to long range in most configurations. A long range aircraft at maximum weight requires a dedicated performance calculation.

Is Brive airport open at weekends?

Not all year. Saturday and Sunday opening is limited to the summer peak season. Outside those periods a weekend flight requires an exceptional opening arranged in advance with the operator, which is chargeable.

Who handles ground services at Brive?

The airport's own handling service, on +33 5 55 22 40 00 during business hours, or by email at handlingbrive@aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com. Flight notification goes to the operations service, ops@aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com.

How long has this airport existed?

Since 15 June 2010. It replaced Brive-Laroche aerodrome, closed the same day, whose industrial surroundings no longer allowed traffic to grow. It handled 97,397 passengers in 2023 and 90,370 in 2024.

What does Brive airport serve?

The Périgord, northern Lot and Corrèze. Sarlat, Rocamadour, Collonges-la-Rouge and the Dordogne valley are all under an hour away by road, via the A20 motorway whose exit 53 leads directly to the field.