In Formula 1, the margin for error is zero.
In executive aviation during Formula 1, it is too.
The start of the season represents one of the most operationally demanding periods of the year for executive and corporate aviation. The first races concentrate a high volume of international movements involving teams, sponsors, executives, suppliers, and VIP passengers, all within extremely tight time windows and under a regulatory level of scrutiny that leaves no room for mistakes.
Australia: operational pressure and zero immigration flexibility
The season begins in Australia, with the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix scheduled to take place from March 6 to 8, 2026, in the city of Melbourne. For this event, executive aviation operations may be conducted through Melbourne International (YMML), Essendon (YMEN), Moorabbin (YMBB), and Avalon (YMAB) airports. During Grand Prix week, these airports experience significant operational pressure—particularly regarding slot availability, parking capacity, and handling services—making advance planning critical.
From a documentation standpoint, Australia maintains one of the strictest immigration regimes on the calendar. A passport is mandatory for both crew and passengers, with a recommended minimum validity of six months and in good physical condition. In all cases, passengers must hold a valid visa issued prior to arrival, whether an eVisitor (subclass 651), ETA (subclass 601), or Visitor Visa (subclass 600), depending on nationality. There is absolutely no flexibility at the border: entry is automatically denied in the absence of a valid visa, with no exceptions for VIP status or operational considerations.
China: documentary consistency or the operation does not exist
The second round of the calendar takes place in China, with the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix scheduled from March 13 to 15, 2026, in Shanghai. Operations may be conducted through Pudong (ZSPD), Hongqiao (ZSSS), Jiading (ZSJD), and Wuxi (ZSWX) airports. China presents a highly regulated environment for both general and executive aviation, where documentary consistency is a decisive factor for operational success.
In this country, passports must have a minimum validity of six months from the intended date of departure from China and contain at least two blank pages. Diplomatic or special passports are subject to prior validation. Crew members are required to hold a mandatory visa—generally a Crew Visa type C or D depending on nationality—with no visa-on-arrival option available for business or general aviation operations.
For passengers, a Chinese visa is mandatory and must be obtained prior to travel. Visa-free transit schemes do not apply to executive or business aviation operations, and VIP passengers are not exempt from this requirement. From a health standpoint, a standard vaccination certificate is not typically required; however, temperature checks are commonly conducted upon arrival and a health declaration is mandatory. Authorities may implement additional controls without prior notice.
For both crew and passengers, it is strongly recommended to carry international medical insurance covering medical assistance, hospitalization, and potential repatriation. Passenger and crew manifests are mandatory, as is the customs declaration. In certain cases, an invitation letter or business purpose letter justifying the reason for travel may also be required.
Japan: extreme efficiency and zero-margin planning
The third round of the season takes place in Japan, with the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix scheduled from March 27 to 29, 2026, in Suzuka, with operations primarily linked to the Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo areas. The airports most commonly used for this event include Osaka Itami (RJOO), Nagoya (RJNA), Chubu Centrair (RJGG), and Tokyo Haneda (RJTT). Japan combines exceptionally high operational efficiency with very rigorous documentary and planning standards.
Passports must be valid for the entire duration of the stay, with a recommended minimum validity of six months and at least one or two blank pages for CIQ stamps. Visa requirements for both crew and passengers depend on nationality, with short-stay exemptions available in some cases under visa-waiver schemes. However, each case must be confirmed with the local handler. All documentation presented must fully match the submitted manifests.
Japan does not require mandatory vaccinations under normal circumstances and does not apply standard health screenings upon arrival, although special measures may be activated in the event of health alerts. International medical insurance is recommended for both crew and passengers. Additionally, authorities require the submission of manifests, confirmed accommodation details, and proof of onward or return travel, either through a filed flight plan or a ticket.
In scenarios such as the start of the Formula 1 season, the true added value lies not only in knowing the regulations, but in the ability to resolve and coordinate under pressure. The simultaneous management of permits, documentation, slots, handlers, crews, and passengers across multiple time zones demands operational judgment, anticipation, and precise decision-making. When margins for error are nonexistent and timelines are non-negotiable, experience becomes the defining factor between a seamless operation and a compromised one.
At Aerowise, we support our clients at every stage of the process, ensuring safe, efficient operations aligned with the highest international standards. In this context, the difference is not simply flying — it is arriving without friction.
ops@aerowise.aero
