From June 24–26, 2025, Venice will host the highly anticipated wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez—a multi-day celebration centered around Bezos’ 127-meter sailing yacht Koru, anchored in the city’s lagoon. With roughly 200 high-profile guests expected—including celebrities, billionaires, and political figures—the already-crowded summer season will present heightened operational challenges for business aviation operators.

Expect Operational Constraints at Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ)

Although Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ) is treating the event as “business as usual,” operators should not. Peak summer traffic, ongoing art and fashion events, and the wedding itself will put additional pressure on airport capacity, hotel inventory, fuel availability, and city infrastructure.

Key Recommendations for Business Aviation Operators

Expect Turnaround-Only Ops at LIPZ

Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ) is technically treating the event as “business as usual,” but operators should prepare for anything but. The airport is routinely busy during the summer, and parking is extremely limited—especially for larger aircraft. As a result, quick drop-and-go operations are expected to be the default.

Universal Aviation Italy strongly recommend using Venice strictly for drop-off or pick-up. After passengers are onboard or disembarked, repositioning the aircraft to a nearby airport will likely be the only viable option. Milan offers the best infrastructure and availability, but other suitable alternates include:

Alternate Planning

Universal Aviation Italy suggests the following alternates:

• LIML – Milan Linate Airport (Milan, Italy)

• LIMC – Milan Malpensa Airport (Milan, Italy)

• LIME – Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (Bergamo, Italy)

• LIPO – Brescia Gabriele D’Annunzio Airport (Brescia, Italy)

Of these, LIML and LIMC are the best options for guaranteed parking availability.

Ground Time and Pre-Departure Planning

Operators should plan their ground time at LIPZ conservatively. While a one-hour stop might seem adequate for a quick turnaround, that may not hold up if traffic volume increases or if there are delays on the ramp. If more time is needed, it must be coordinated and approved in advance.

To minimize the need for services on the ground in Venice, all essential pre-departure preparations—catering, water/lav service, cleaning, etc.—should be handled at the departure station or RON location. Venice is not the place to make last-minute requests.

Catering, Disinsection & Fueling Considerations

Because logistics in Venice are limited, catering should be arranged at the departure airport. Attempting to coordinate catering on arrival in Venice will likely lead to delays or limited options.

Disinsection, for those who require it, is nearly impossible to perform effectively in Venice due to local operational limitations. We recommend completing a one-shot disinsection followed by a residual spray at your RON station to remain compliant.

Fueling is another point of concern. Local suppliers may experience significant delays, and operators are strongly advised not to plan fuel uplifts in Venice. Use alternative carnet or fuel release options and refuel at the repositioning destination.

Accommodations and Crew Transport Will Be Tight

Venice’s hotel inventory is already under extreme pressure. Luxury properties such as the Hotel Cipriani, Aman Venice, Gritti Palace, and St. Regis have been reserved for the wedding party and their guests. That leaves very limited options for flight crew or other passengers.

To avoid being left without accommodations, crew lodging should be secured immediately, ideally outside of central Venice. Additionally, crew transport to and from the airport and hotels should be arranged well in advance to avoid being impacted by local congestion.

Citywide Impact

The Venice mayor’s office has stated that the city is fully capable of handling high-profile events without disrupting life for residents and tourists. Even so, it’s realistic to expect:

• Delays in ground and water transport

• High demand for support services

• Localized restrictions near major venues or gathering points

Operators should monitor NOTAMs and local event advisories as the event date approaches.

Tax Refund Processing

If tax refunds apply to your operation, be sure to initiate requests well in advance. Processing delays are possible given the expected demand and strain on airport services.

Final Recommendations for Operators

To navigate the Venice wedding period successfully:

• Use LIPZ for quick turnarounds only and reposition aircraft immediately

• Complete all pre-departure services—including catering—before arriving in Venice

• Avoid fueling and disinsection procedures at LIPZ

• Book hotel accommodations and transport early, especially for crew

• Monitor NOTAMs closely and build in time buffers

• Request tax refunds in advance

Universal Aviation Italy Can Help

Universal Aviation Italy is already working with operators flying to Venice during the Bezos–Sánchez wedding. Whether it’s coordinating PPR, managing drop-and-go logistics, securing repositioning slots, or assisting with VIP transport and crew lodging, our local team is on standby to help ensure a smooth operation from start to finish.