Monza F1 Grand Prix: Airport Alternatives and Planning for Private Jet Crews

Here is what operators and crews need to know when scheduling private flights into Monza for the 2025 race weekend.

Best airports for Monza F1 private jet flights

1. Milan Linate Airport (LIML):
Only 8 kilometers from Milan’s center, Linate is the most convenient airport for private jet passengers staying in the city or requiring quick transfers to Monza. It offers unparalleled flexibility for business jet flights. Featuring completely unrestricted 24/7 access, no PPR or slot necessities, and all customs and immigration facilities available 24/7. The access is satisfactory with simple 48-hour advance notice.

2. Milan Malpensa Airport (LIMC):
As the region’s largest international gateway, Malpensa provides 24-hour operations, several FBOs, and sufficient runway capacity for all categories of aircraft. It also, however, handles heavy commercial traffic and can be slot-restricted during race weekend. GAT and FBO facilities are time-restricted unless pre-booked, and the customs availability is for a shorter time window.

3. Orio al Serio Airport Bergamo (LIME):
This airport is increasingly being considered as a backup or alternative solution. Located about 60 km from Monza, it’s 24/7 available with flexibility for parking and operational lead times, even though ground transfers are longer.

4. Lugano Airport (LUG):
For those clients who have other engagements in Switzerland or in the Italian lakes area, Lugano can be a convenient option. Note that the airport does not have extensive infrastructure for larger aircraft and parking is subject to availability.

You might also be interested in: LIMC vs LIML: Which Milan airport is best for private jet flights?

Slot requirements and parking problems

All three of the major Milan-area airports – Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo – will need arrival and departure slots over the Formula 1 weekend. As slots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, requests must be made as soon as operationally feasible. Crews must also prepare for restricted or unavailable overnight parking at Linate and Malpensa because of heightened demand.

If extended parking is not possible, operators will have to look at drop-and-go operations, with repositions to airports such as Brescia (LIPO) or Parma (LIMP) for parking and crew rest.

Note to operators and crew: Milan’s two primary airports, Linate (LIML) and Malpensa (LIMC), have drastically increased parking charges for business aviation. A 50-ton aircraft parked for three days now pays approximately €3,180 at Linate and €2,220 at Malpensa – up from a few hundred euros. 

Regional airports such as Parma (LIMP), Brescia (LIPO), and Bergamo (LIME) continue to have lower costs and fewer restrictions and could be worth using for repositioning or even passenger drop-offs, depending on the route.

Lead times and disinsection requirements

Italy does not require overflight or landing permits for most private and non-scheduled commercial activity conducted under EU or ICAO rules. Documentation must, however, be complete and up to date, especially when operating under Part 135 or commercial AOC.

For operators that are not from the EU, customs and immigration need to be pre-arranged, especially when utilizing smaller FBOs or alternate airports.

All arriving aircraft into Italy are subject to disinsection requirements as stipulated by the Italian Ministry of Health. The crews are required to carry valid disinsection certificates and be ready for on-the-spot checks on arrival. Disinsection may be conducted pre-departure through residual or pre-flight spraying procedures in accordance with WHO recommendations. Aircraft with invalid documentation can expect delays or on-ground procedures.

For those aircraft that have not been disinfected before departure, operators should arrange with ground handlers at Italian airports to apply certified treatment on arrival.

Ground transport and crew logistics

Monza is approximately a 30-minute drive from Milan city center, though traffic during race weekend can significantly increase transfer times. To avoid congestion and minimize ground delays, some operators arrange helicopter transfers directly from the airport to temporary landing zones near the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

Helicopter slots, as for fixed-wing flights, are limited and need to be requested in advance. When operating Linate or Malpensa, availability of handling services enabling rotorcraft transfers should be checked.

The Grand Prix weekend Monza hotel space is restricted, and rates skyrocket in Milan and the vicinity. Crew rooms must be booked as soon as possible, preferably in less crowded suburbs or in proximity to secondary airports if repositioning.

If repositioning the aircraft, make sure ground transport for crews is arranged with time allowances for race-related delays on the road. The Icarus Jet trip support team is here to assist today.