Thierry Dubois is a freelance writer specializing in helicopters, business aviation and aerospace technology. He earned a degree in fluid dynamics from an engineering school in Toulouse, France in the mid-1990s. At an unexpected crossroads, he found his first job in journalism. In 1997, he started working for French aerospace weekly Air &amp; Cosmos in Paris. This lasted until 2000, when he moved south to Lyons. He then became a freelancer, working for various aerospace publications and has been part of the AIN team since late 2000. In addition to writing about business aviation, Thierry shares responsibility for the rotorcraft section. He also is a regular on-site writer for AIN’s daily editions at international airshows such as the Paris, Farnborough, Dubai and Singapore shows, as well as at EBACE in Geneva.
In 2007, he won the Honeywell award for “Best systems or technology submission” at the Aerospace journalist of the year awards. In 2013, he won an Aerospace Media Award for the "Best Safety, Training &amp; Simulation Submission."
In other activities, Thierry moderates international conferences on aviation technology topics. Thierry is married and has three children, who seem to begin enjoying the mountains–as their parents do.

Writer

Thierry Dubois

Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (ACA) saw record business aviation traffic last year at the three&nbsp;French Riviera airfields that the company manages, reporting a combined 46,000 movements at Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez Airports. Growth at Cannes and Saint-Tropez more than offset a slight decline in aircraft movements at Nice, it said.

 


The economic and geopolitical context has been challenging, said Michel Tohane, director of ACA’s general aviation business. The aftermath of the terrorist attacks in November in France has created a latent stress in air transport, he said. In addition, political tension between France and Russia has resulted in a 25-percent drop in business aviation traffic from Russia, a major impact for Nice Airport, Tohane told AIN.

 


Despite these unfavorable conditions, “We have managed to stay on our roadmap,” he said. The airport-management company has successfully anticipated customer demand, Tohane noted. For example, parking space has been made available for the larger aircraft - and longer stays - that customers have come to favor. The trend to heavier jets can be seen in the 3 percent increase of landing weights, despite a 0.9 percent decrease in business aircraft movements at Nice.

 


For 2016, Tohane hopes the <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-10-05/aircraft-weight-limit-relaxed-cannes-airport">lifting of the mtow restriction for business jets</a> from 22 to 35 metric tons (48,500 to 77,100 pounds) at Cannes Airport will have a positive influence on traffic. The new weight limit, in effect since October 1, could boost traffic by 2 percent, but the airport operator has not yet seen a change since most business aviation activity takes place in the summer and runway projects are ongoing.

 


An exclusive helicopter terminal opened on January 1 at Nice Airport and could further spur rotorcraft traffic this year, after experiencing 2-percent growth last year.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

French Riviera Airports Log Record Bizav Traffic in 2015

Growth at Cannes and Saint-Tropez Airports more than offset a slight decline in aircraft movements at Nice, said Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

Nashville Mulls Airport Name Change To Honor Dolly Parton

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

Wisk Begins Building eVTOL Vertiport at Hollister Airport

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Airports

FAA Ponders Fate of Remote Pacific Island Airfield

Midway Island plays a role in ETOPS flight planning

Nashville Mulls Airport Name Change To Honor Dolly Parton

Tennessee governor suggests change to airport board

Wisk Begins Building eVTOL Vertiport at Hollister Airport

Site will support both piloted and pilotless VTOL flight testing

Electra Demos Hybrid-electric Flights in Three States

FAA program tests links between small fields and major hubs

Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe

S-76s and AW139s will carry passengers to and from London-area airports

FAA’s Bedford, Lawmakers Oppose Burke Lakefront Closure

Neither FAA nor Congress appear open to helping Cleveland expedite airport closure

Haneda Plans Three-strikes Rule To Bench Errant Pilots

Restriction targets individual pilots, not the operator or aircraft

Local Groups Band Together To Support Lakefront Airport

Groups point to $195 million in economic contribution

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN