From the Riviera to the Alps: Private Jet Access to the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

When the Winter Olympics return to Europe in 2026, Italy will once again find itself at the centre of the sporting world. Between 6 and 22 February 2026, the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Games will unite over 90 nations, more than 3,000 athletes, and 16 Olympic disciplines across a breathtaking alpine stage — stretching from Milan’s urban arenas to the legendary slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno, and Val di Fiemme.

For business jet operators, Olympic delegations, and VIP travellers, this global celebration of winter sport represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Air traffic in northern Italy will surge to historic levels, infrastructure will be saturated, and operational windows will narrow. In this environment, the most efficient and elegant access route will start not in Italy — but just across the border, on the French Riviera.

That route begins at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), supervised by AirWise Executive Flight Support, and connects seamlessly to Milan (LIML / LIMC) — the official Olympic aviation gateway.

A New Olympic Era for Italy and Europe

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Games mark a symbolic return of the Olympics to the European Alps, twenty years after Turin 2006. They also embody a new model: environmentally conscious, distributed across multiple venues, and designed to integrate existing infrastructures rather than build from scratch.

Key Olympic Venues and Disciplines

• Milan (LIML / LIMC): Ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, curling, and the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium.

• Cortina d’Ampezzo (LIDO): Alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge at the Olympia delle Tofane.

• Livigno (LIV): Snowboard and freestyle skiing.

• Bormio (LIMB): Alpine skiing and ski mountaineering (Skimo), making its Olympic debut.

• Val di Fiemme (LIDT): Nordic skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.

• Anterselva (LIVI): Biathlon.

• Verona (LIPX): Closing Ceremony at the Arena di Verona.

  
  

The Games will feature more than 100 medal events. Among the innovations: the first-ever Olympic inclusion of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo), along with new mixed-team formats in luge, skeleton, and freestyle skiing.

Over 200 countries will participate, from established winter powerhouses like Canada, Norway, the USA, France, Germany, and Switzerland, to emerging competitors from Asia, South America, and the Middle East , reflecting the globalisation of winter sports.

Italy’s Dual Identity: City of Fashion, Kingdom of Snow

The 2026 Olympics capture two faces of Italy: Milan, the cosmopolitan metropolis of design and innovation, and Cortina, the timeless jewel of the Dolomites. The distance between them — over 400 km — underscores the logistical complexity of these Games.

This diversity is both a strength and a challenge: each region brings unique charm, but also demands agile aviation solutions. A delegation may attend the Opening Ceremony in Milan, then transfer to Cortina or Livigno the next day. A head of state might need to fly from Verona to Milan for a medal presentation. These high-frequency repositioning missions will require precise coordination, reliable slots, and flexible scheduling.

That’s where AirWise Executive Flight Support comes in — bridging French and Italian airspace through seamless cross-border supervision from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN).

Why Nice (LFMN) Is the Smartest Launch Point

Proximity and Performance

At just 247 nautical miles from Milan Linate (LIML), Nice Côte d’Azur (LFMN) offers an unmatched blend of operational readiness and comfort. With two runways (04L/22R and 04R/22L), full CAT III capability, and a dedicated business aviation terminal, LFMN is equipped to handle everything from light jets to wide-body VIP aircraft.

A Calm Operational Environment

During the Olympic fortnight, both Milan Linate (LIML) and Malpensa (LIMC) will experience unprecedented congestion. Slots will be limited, parking scarce, and ramp operations tightly regulated. By staging at Nice, operators maintain control over departure times, secure parking for standby aircraft, and benefit from 24/7 local ground supervision.

AirWise Expertise

With full airside authorization at Nice, AirWise Executive Flight Support provides a turnkey solution:

• Slot coordination via DSNA/CDM and liaison with ENAV/Assoclearance for Italian arrivals.

• Landing and overflight permits for Italy, Switzerland, and Austria.

• Ramp supervision, fuelling, GPU, and crew logistics.

• VVIP inflight catering via AirWise Concierge, including gourmet restaurant pickups.

• Meet-and-Greet and discreet routing for passengers and crew.

From the Riviera’s calm tarmac to the Olympic runways of Milan and Cortina, AirWise ensures continuity, transparency, and compliance.

Route & Technical Data: Nice → Milan

Parameter	Details
Route	LFMN → LIML / LFMN → LIMC
Distance	~247 NM (LFMN–LIML) / ~230 NM (LFMN–LIMC)
Average Flight Time	45–55 minutes
Cruise Altitude	FL270 – FL370
ATC Sectors	Marseille ACC → Milano ACC
Fuel Estimate (Citation XLS+)	~1,050 kg
Preferred Routing	MOKIP – AKUTI – MIL – GESSO – LIML
Slot Authority	DSNA/CDM (France) & ENAV/Assoclearance (Italy)
PPR Lead Time	24–72 hours
Weather Advisory	Frequent winter fog in Po Valley – CAT II/III recommended

Technical Perspective

The flight from Nice to Milan typically cruises over the Ligurian Alps, crossing Marseille ACC into Milano ACC. Winter operations require awareness of icing conditions, mountain wave turbulence, and low visibility approaches. AirWise coordinates real-time weather data and ensures alternate planning (e.g. Turin Caselle – LIMF or Genoa – LIMJ) if Milan’s minima deteriorate.

Inside the Olympic Aviation Network

Milan Linate (LIML)

• Runway: 18/36 – 2,442 m

• GA Terminal: SEA Prime Milano Linate Prime

• Use Case: VIP and short-range aircraft; Opening Ceremony access

• Challenge: Limited apron and overnight parking

Milan Malpensa (LIMC)

• Runways: 17L/35R & 17R/35L – 3,920 m

• GA Terminal: SEA Prime Milano Malpensa

• Use Case: Long-range and wide-body VIP aircraft

• Advantages: 24/7 operations, CAT III ILS, and extended ramp

Verona Villafranca (LIPX)

• Runway: 04/22 – 3,068 m

• Use Case: Charter flights to Cortina; Closing Ceremony transfers

With the Games spread across multiple alpine valleys, helicopter transfers will become the preferred last-mile solution. AirWise can arrange cross-border helicopter coordination from Milan or Verona directly to Cortina, Livigno, or Bormio.

A Global Celebration of Nations

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will welcome participants from every corner of the world. Traditional winter nations — Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the United States — will once again dominate the ski slopes and ice rinks, while France, Switzerland, and Austria will showcase their alpine mastery.

Emerging competitors from China, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan will continue to expand Asia’s presence in winter disciplines. The Games will also see representation from Latin America — including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico — and a growing number of athletes from Middle Eastern and African countries developing snow sports programs.

This unprecedented international participation translates into a surge of government, federation, and sponsor travel, requiring flexible flight planning and diplomatic clearances. AirWise assists operators with special permit processing, slot protection, and VVIP ground handling coordination, ensuring that Olympic visitors experience a seamless journey from departure to arrival.

Sustainability and Legacy

In line with global sustainability goals, the Milan–Cortina 2026 Organising Committee has pledged to reduce the environmental footprint of the Games by using existing venues and promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for business aviation visitors.

At Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), AirWise supports these efforts by coordinating SAF refuelling options, optimizing taxi times, and promoting carbon-balanced operations. This aligns with AirWise’s broader commitment to responsible flight support, where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.

The Athletes Behind the Games: Global Talent and Olympic Spirit

Behind every Olympic event lies a story of discipline, endurance, and global unity. The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will host more than 3,000 athletes from over 90 countries, making it one of the most diverse Winter Games in history.

From veteran legends to rising stars, these athletes represent the finest in human performance — and many will rely on business aviation to move swiftly between competition zones, media appearances, and training venues. For AirWise Executive Flight Support, these movements are not just logistics — they are part of the Olympic journey itself.

Athletes to Watch in 2026

While national rosters are still being finalized, several top names are already expected to make headlines:

• Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – The American alpine skiing icon, already among the most decorated in history, aims to break new records in Bormio and Cortina.

• Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) – A dominant force in men’s alpine skiing, expected to defend his World Cup titles on Italian snow.

• Quentin Fillon Maillet (France) – The French biathlete and multiple medalist from Beijing 2022, returning to Anterselva for new challenges.

• Eileen Gu (China) – The freestyle skier and cultural ambassador bridging East and West, who triumphed in Beijing.

• Alexandra Trusova (Russia) and Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) – Two figure-skating stars pushing the boundaries of athletic artistry on ice.

Each will represent a nation, a story, and a unique logistical operation , from equipment airlifts to time-critical charters between venues. During previous Games, private aviation has played a vital role in ensuring athletes arrive rested, focused, and on time , something AirWise understands deeply.

Fun Facts About the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

1. Two Cities, One Vision: This will be the first Winter Olympics in history to be jointly hosted by two cities — Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

2. Historic Return: Cortina hosted the Games once before, in 1956 — a symbolic return to one of Europe’s most glamorous alpine destinations.

3. Greenest Olympics Yet: Over 93% of the sports venues are existing facilities, making Milan–Cortina 2026 one of the most sustainable Olympics ever staged.

4. Ski Mountaineering Debut: For the first time, Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) becomes an official Olympic discipline, blending endurance skiing and mountain climbing.

5. Mascots with Meaning: The mascots, Tina and Milo, take their names from the host cities — “Tina” for Cortina and “Milo” for Milano — symbolizing partnership and unity.

6. Arena di Verona as a Stage: The Closing Ceremony will be held in the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre of Verona, merging ancient heritage with modern sport.

7. Athlete Villages Built for Legacy: Olympic villages in Milan and Cortina are being designed to convert into housing and community centres after the Games — ensuring long-term impact.

8. Over 100 Medal Events: With new mixed-gender competitions, Milan–Cortina 2026 will feature the most balanced Winter Olympics ever in terms of gender representation.

9. Global Viewership: Over 2 billion viewers worldwide are expected to follow the Games — a media opportunity that will also boost private-aviation traffic in northern Italy.

10. Shortest Olympic Flight: The direct flight from Nice (LFMN) to Milan (LIML) , about 50 minutes , could very well be the most strategic Olympic route in Europe for VIPs and delegations.

    
    

The Olympic Infrastructure Challenge and Aviation’s Role

While spectators see athletes on podiums, the logistical machinery behind the Games is monumental. In 2026, Italy will operate across seven aviation clusters, coordinated through Milan ACC and Padova FIR, with overflow routes passing through southern France.

Private jets and chartered aircraft will transport:

• Athletes and medical teams between competition zones.

• Sponsorship executives and dignitaries attending ceremonies.

• Broadcasting crews and equipment across Alpine venues.

In such complex operations, AirWise Executive Flight Support ensures every departure from Nice (LFMN) is precisely timed to meet Italian slot restrictions (ENAV/Assoclearance), while monitoring Eurocontrol CTOTs and managing quick turnarounds for repositioning flights.

For Olympic delegations, AirWise offers specialized supervision packages that include:

• Aircraft and cargo handling for team equipment.

• Crew scheduling and rest management.

• Coordination with Italian ground handlers and authorities.

• Real-time flight monitoring and ramp assistance.

This makes Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN) not just a departure point, but a strategic operations base for any Olympic aviation mission.

Final Thoughts

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will not only crown new champions — they will redefine how global events interact with aviation infrastructure, sustainability, and operational precision. For operators, the opportunity lies in being prepared early, working with partners who understand both local regulations and international expectations.

From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), AirWise Executive Flight Support stands ready to bridge the French Riviera and the Italian Alps — offering on-site supervision, cross-border coordination, VVIP services, and slot management expertise unmatched in the region.

Whether managing charter flights for delegations, coordinating sponsor movements, or supporting national teams, AirWise provides the precision, presence, and professionalism essential for this historic event.

For flight support, meet-and-greet coordination, or VVIP catering between Nice (LFMN) and Milan (LIML/LIMC), contact:✉️ fbo.nce@airwiseexecutive.com