Private Jet to Le Mans: Arnage, 1,420 m and the 24 Hours

Le Mans-Arnage, from 5 to 200 movements during the 24 Hours

The figure comes from Martin Meyrier, chief executive of the Edeis group, which operates the airport. Speaking to the regional broadcaster ICI Maine on 8 June 2026, he described nearly 200 movements over the week of the 24 Hours, against five in normal times, mostly small aircraft and teams' private jets arriving from across Europe.

The airport prepares for it. It almost triples its staff, adds firefighters, extends its hours and brings in more refuelling personnel.

The AIP flags it too: restrictions apply during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans Classic and the MotoGP round, and they are announced by NOTAM. Over a week, that is forty times the ordinary traffic described by the operator. Ground space is therefore booked together with the flight.

1,420 metres, and only 1,148 in one direction

Runway 02/20 measures 1,420 m by 30 m, with a published pavement strength of PCN 17. The September 2026 AIP adds a subtlety: on runway 20, a displaced threshold cuts the landing distance to 1,148 m.

Wind decides the direction. With a southerly wind a jet lands on runway 20 with 1,148 m ahead of it, and that is the configuration in which aircraft performance is checked, not the headline length.

Two further figures matter. For a northbound departure, the AIP recommends a 7.5% climb gradient to clear masts near the runway end, and the main apron is rated PCN 9. An Embraer Phenom 300 or a Cessna Citation CJ3 copes with these numbers depending on weight; a midsize is calculated case by case, and beyond that the arrival can move to Tours or Paris.

An hour's pause in the middle of the day

The aerodrome flight information service runs daily from 9am to 12.30pm then 1.30pm to 6pm from April to September, and until 5pm from October to March, French time, one hour ahead of London. It is an AFIS service, not a control tower. Extensions are requested 48 hours in advance on the operator's online booking platform.

Outside these hours the radio switches to French-language self-announcement only, unless a non-French-speaking crew has obtained an extension on 24 hours' notice.

Fire cover follows its own timetable: level 5 on weekdays and level 2 at weekends during opening hours, level 1 outside them, with extension possible on 48 hours' notice. A Sunday flight that needs level 5 is therefore arranged by Friday.

Le Mans customs want two days' notice

The airport is a border crossing point. For any flight arriving from or departing to a country outside the Schengen area, London, Dubai or New York for instance, the AIP requires 48 hours' notice to the Le Mans customs unit, reachable from 8am to 8pm French time.

Ground handling is compulsory for any aircraft of 3 tonnes or more and is booked online with the airport operator, on the same platform as hour extensions. Our teams coordinate these requests with the aircraft operator, together with the customs notice.

24 Hours and Le Mans Classic: the 2027 calendar

• 24 Hours of Le Mans: 95th edition from 9 to 13 June 2027, according to the race's official website.
• Le Mans Classic: 1 to 4 July 2027, with a new format devoted to the pioneers of motor racing, Le Mans Classic Heritage, after a Legend edition that drew 159,853 spectators in July 2026, according to its organiser.
• French MotoGP Grand Prix: the 2026 edition ran from 8 to 10 May; 2027 dates are still to be confirmed on the official website.

These three events concentrate demand on a short runway whose restrictions come by NOTAM, so we advise fixing the aircraft and the timing several weeks before the race, leaving time to book handling and, where needed, the extension.

When the aircraft outgrows the runway: Tours-Val de Loire or Paris

Beyond what 1,148 to 1,420 m and a PCN 17 pavement allow, two airports take over. Tours-Val de Loire, also operated by Edeis, has a 2,404 m by 45 m concrete runway and a business terminal, close to the A28 motorway that leads to Le Mans. Our article on the Loire chateaux by private jet describes it in more detail.

Paris-Le Bourget remains the other gateway, particularly for a long-range aircraft from New York or Dubai. Our Paris airports for private jets page compares the options, and a final leg to Arnage in a light jet, around 30 minutes, remains possible depending on the time.

Phenom 300, CJ3 or PC-12 for Arnage

The runway shapes the choice before passenger numbers do.

• Light jet: Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3, from €4,000 per hour, for European sectors to Arnage.
• Pilatus PC-12: a turboprop suited to regional sectors, from Nantes or Lyon for example.
• Very light jet: from €3,500 per hour, for around four passengers on short trips.

Allow around 30 minutes from Paris-Le Bourget, in the order of 45 minutes from Farnborough, around 55 minutes from Geneva, Luxembourg or Brussels, and around 1h15 from Nice. These times vary with aircraft, wind and any wait for a slot, particularly in race week, and the hourly rate for each category is on our private jet rental cost page.

Planning race week with IBC Aviation

IBC Aviation arranges flights to or from Le Mans from its Paris office, selecting the aircraft from certified operators. For 24 Hours week, the file is built backwards. First come the session and race dates, then an arrival time that fits the AFIS hours or their extension, weekend fire cover, customs notice for a flight from outside Schengen and booked handling.

Our private jet charter in Paris page introduces the office that handles these requests, our private terminal guide describes ground reception, and our private jet charter page summarises how we work.

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

How many aircraft land at Le Mans during the 24 Hours?

According to the chief executive of the Edeis group, speaking to ICI Maine on 8 June 2026, Le Mans-Arnage airport handles nearly 200 movements over race week, against five in normal times. Most are small aircraft and teams' private jets arriving from across Europe.

Why does the Le Mans runway offer only 1,148 m in one direction?

Because the runway 20 threshold is displaced. Runway 02/20 measures 1,420 m by 30 m, but the September 2026 AIP gives only 1,148 m for landing on runway 20, against 1,420 m on runway 02. With a southerly wind, that is the figure that counts.

What are the dates of the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans?

The race's official website announces it from 9 to 13 June 2027, and Le Mans Classic follows from 1 to 4 July 2027. During these events the AIP flags restrictions announced by NOTAM at Le Mans-Arnage airport, which is why the timing is best fixed early.

What notice do Le Mans customs require for a flight from outside Schengen?

48 hours, sent to the Le Mans customs unit, for any flight arriving from or departing to a country outside the Schengen area, London included. The unit can be reached from 8am to 8pm French time, and ground handling is compulsory from 3 tonnes.

Does Le Mans airport close at lunchtime?

The AFIS service pauses from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. It runs from 9am to 12.30pm then 1.30pm to 6pm from April to September, and until 5pm from October to March, French time. Extensions need 48 hours' notice, and standard weekend fire cover is level 2.