MIPIM — the March real estate conference — packs roughly 20,000 property professionals into Cannes for four days, and turns the Riviera's small business aviation airports into some of the busiest slots in Europe for that week. Flying private is the only sane way in; the question is which airport, and how early you need to lock the slot.
MIPIM 2027 runs in mid-March at the Palais des Festivals. Book aircraft and slots by February at the latest — this guide covers the airport decision, realistic pricing, and how to pair the trip with Monaco.
Cannes–Mandelieu or Nice: which airport for MIPIM?
Cannes–Mandelieu (CEQ) is the dedicated business aviation airport 10 minutes from the Croisette — purpose-built for exactly this week. The catch: runway and weight limits keep it to jets under 35 tonnes MTOW, which rules out the largest cabin aircraft, and ramp space sells out fastest of any Riviera airport during MIPIM.
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) takes any aircraft size and runs 24/7 handling — but it is 30–45 minutes by road from the Palais, longer in MIPIM traffic. The fix used by regulars: land at Nice, take the 7–12 minute helicopter to Cannes or straight to Monaco if that is where you are staying. Mandelieu for convenience if your jet fits; Nice for flexibility and guaranteed handling.
A third option worth knowing: La Môle–Saint-Tropez (LTT) if your real destination is the western Riviera — irrelevant for MIPIM itself, but useful if you are combining site visits along the coast.
How much does a private jet to MIPIM cost?
Pricing follows normal seasonal rates — operators do not run MIPIM surcharges, but availability is the constraint. Indicative one-way ranges to Cannes or Nice:
| Route | Light jet | Midsize |
|---|---|---|
| London → Cannes/Nice | €11,000–€16,000 | €19,000–€30,000 |
| Paris → Cannes/Nice | €7,000–€11,000 | €14,000–€22,000 |
| Geneva → Cannes/Nice | €5,000–€8,000 | €10,000–€16,000 |
| Dubai → Nice | — | €45,000–€65,000 (large cabin) |
Same-day returns are common MIPIM play: depart 07:00, land 09:30 local, work the Croisette, wheels up 19:00. A light jet doing London–Cannes same-day often prices below two business-class tickets for a team of five once you count the schedule freedom.
The Monaco add-on most people miss
A significant share of MIPIM attendees sleep in Monaco — the Principality is 40 minutes from Cannes by road, 12 minutes by helicopter from Cannes–Mandelieu. During MIPIM week, helicopter charters Cannes→Monaco run roughly €1,100–€1,500 for up to six passengers, and scheduled seats Nice→Monaco hold at normal €190–€195 fares.
If your team is based in Monaco for the week, land at Nice, helicopter into Fontvieille, and helicopter or car down to Cannes each morning — it beats the A8 in conference traffic every time.
Locking in MIPIM flights?
March slots at Mandelieu disappear in February — we secure aircraft, slot and ground transfer as one booking.
Request Your Free Quote →Booking timeline that works
January–early February: book the aircraft and request slots — Mandelieu ramp positions go first. Late February: confirm helicopter transfers and ground transport; restaurant and hotel changes get expensive from here. March: plan arrival before 09:00 or after 17:00 — midday slot banks are the most contested of the week.
One operational note: Mandelieu is slot-coordinated during major events even though it is not normally. If your operator says 'slots available' without mentioning a PPR, confirm twice — festival weeks change the rules.
MIPIM week rewards early planners and punishes late ones. Request a quote with your dates and we will hold aircraft options while you confirm the diary.