At this time of year, our flight teams organise itineraries for private jet and helicopter charters to airports serving the best ski resorts in Europe and the United States.
Every year we receive questions about flights to Courchevel Airport. Its prime location in the heart of the French Alps and proximity to the ski slopes gives the impression that you can ski directly in and out of the airport. However, due to its mountainside location, landing at Courchevel Airport is heavily restricted for safety reasons, as the short runway ends directly at the edge of the mountain.
Facts about Courchevel:
Runway length: 547 m (1,762 ft)
Elevation: 2,007 m
18.66% maximum gradient – the steepest in the world
6,000 aircraft movements every winter
First mountain airfield with an uphill runway
Only altiport kept snow-free all year round
What types of aircraft can land at Courchevel Airport?
Although flights to Courchevel Airport (officially known as Courchevel Altiport) are heavily restricted, a number of small aircraft and helicopters operate there. Heavy and large jets are unable to land due to the steep gradient, challenging approach, and the fact that a go-around is not possible. The runway ends directly facing the mountain, making a missed approach extremely hazardous.
A “go-around” is a standard safety procedure in which an aircraft aborts a landing and climbs back into a safe and stable flight path. It is most commonly used when a landing cannot be safely completed.
While some turboprop aircraft do operate at the airport, smaller fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are far better suited to the airfield.
Can a private jet charter land at Courchevel Airport?
Private jet charter flights can land and depart from Courchevel Airport, provided the aircraft meets the strict operational requirements and the pilot holds the necessary certification for this challenging runway.
Can a helicopter charter land at Courchevel Airport?
Helicopter flights are the most common way to travel to and from Courchevel. Helicopters can land and take off easily from the airport. Most clients charter a private jet to a nearby airport such as Chambéry, Grenoble, Geneva or Annecy, all of which are suitable for commercial private jet operations. From there, they book a helicopter transfer directly into Courchevel.
Landing at Courchevel Airport
As mentioned above, private owners may operate small and mid-size jets at the airfield if they are flying their own aircraft. However, for commercial charter operations, stricter safety regulations apply, limiting access to the runway.
For commercial private jet charters, the aircraft’s landing distance is multiplied by 1.6 to determine the required landing distance (LDR). As a result, for most commercial operations, Courchevel’s runway is too short.
Private jet and helicopter charter to Courchevel
Private Jet Charter® recommends that clients charter a private jet to a nearby airport (we recommend Chambéry) and then book a helicopter transfer directly into Courchevel. Request a tailored quote today based on your individual requirements.
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