Cannes has its own airport at Mandelieu, four kilometres west of the Croisette, which takes light jets and turboprops. Anything larger routes to Nice, thirty minutes away by road or ten by helicopter.
The choice matters more than people expect. Mandelieu has a short runway and restrictions that rule out midsize and heavy aircraft, so the aircraft class decides the airport rather than the other way round. We work that out before quoting rather than after.
Cannes runs two completely different calendars. The Film Festival in May is the hardest booking window on the Riviera — aircraft, hotels, villas and tables all price at a multiple. July and August are busy but manageable.
Cannes-Mandelieu vs Nice
Mandelieu (CEQ) is minutes from the Croisette and handles light jets and turboprops only. Nice (NCE) takes everything and is thirty minutes by road, ten by helicopter. If your party and luggage need a midsize aircraft, you are landing at Nice.
Film Festival logistics
Festival week needs two to three months on aircraft and considerably longer for villas and yacht berths. Slot pressure at both airports is severe and handling queues lengthen. We build the whole week as one plan rather than booking pieces.
Where people actually stay
Cap d’Antibes for privacy, the Croisette for proximity, Mougins and the hills for space. See our staffed houses at Cannes & Cap d’Antibes.
What we arrange around the flight
Cars on both ends as standard, helicopter where the timing needs it, and the villa or suite and tables held before you land. See our Cannes concierge service for what that covers on the ground.