Tour de France creates temporary no-fly zone over Chambéry on 22 July

France’s civil-aviation authority (DGAC) has published SUP AIP 148/26 establishing a temporary restricted area (ZRT) around Chambéry for Stage 17 of the Tour de France on 22 July, active from 11:05 to 13:20 local time. The zone extends one nautical mile either side of the race route and from the surface up to 2,000 ft ASFC. Only accredited broadcast helicopters, state aircraft on security missions and emergency services are exempt. All general-aviation VFR and IFR traffic must avoid or obtain specific clearance. Standard arrival procedures into Chambéry LFLB and Geneva will remain available but may involve holding patterns that add 10-15 minutes. Business-aviation operators flying executives to Alpine resorts or Grenoble’s tech parks need to re-file flight plans and update passenger briefings. Failure to comply can trigger interception by the French Air & Space Force, which will maintain a Mirage-2000 patrol over the sector. Ground travellers should also note that the SNCF TER Aix-les-Bains–Chambéry line will run on a modified timetable, and the A41 motorway exit 14 will close between 10:30 and 14:00. Mobility teams with time-critical cargo should reroute via Lyon Saint-Exupéry or Annecy.