Aircraft handling at Geneva International Airport

Geneva Airport for business aviation

Geneva Airport (ICAO LSGG, IATA GVA) is one of Switzerland's two main international airports and one of Europe's busiest business aviation airports, serving Geneva, the Lake Geneva region, nearby French areas and the Alpine resorts. It has a single paved runway, 04/22, of about 3,900 m, which is long enough for every business jet in service. Runway length alone does not confirm performance, so check your figures for the actual weight, temperature and runway condition.

Geneva's business aviation traffic is shaped by international organisations, private banking, conferences and winter sport. Demand can rise sharply around major meetings, events and holiday weekends, and parking on the business aviation aprons may be limited at those times.

Handling and FBOs at Geneva

Several business aviation FBOs and handling agents operate at Geneva. LFS does not operate an FBO or handling company at LSGG. We request handling from a local provider on the operator's behalf, confirm services and fees in writing, and keep the crew briefed. Choice of provider is the operator's; we can request quotes from more than one where useful.

Typical services to confirm include parking, ground power, lavatory and water service, catering delivery, crew transport, passenger processing and de-icing in winter. See our wider ground handling page for how we work with handlers.

Slots, opening hours and noise rules

Permits, customs and border rules

Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not in the EU customs union. Flights from outside Schengen need passport control, and goods follow Swiss customs rules. Passengers and crew are responsible for their own visa or entry status.

Private, non-commercial flights and commercial charters are treated differently. Third-country commercial operators generally need the relevant authorisations before flying commercial flights into Switzerland, including approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) where required. Confirm the status of your flight early; our landing permits page lists the information authorities usually ask for.

Fuel, flight planning and crew logistics

• Fuel: Jet A-1 uplift is arranged through the handler or a contract supplier. Card holders can see our aviation fuel card guide.
• Flight planning: ATC flight plans, weather and NOTAM briefings through flight planning and flight dispatch. Alpine weather and winter conditions make alternate planning important.
• Crew: hotels in Geneva or near the airport, plus transport, through crew logistics.
• Onward travel: helicopter or ground transfers to resorts are arranged through local providers on request, subject to their availability.

What to send for a Geneva trip

Aircraft type and registration, MTOW, the full routing with UTC times, whether the flight is private or commercial, crew and passenger numbers, and the services you need. With that, the desk can request the slot, handling and fuel together and tell you what is still to be confirmed.