Monacair, the Monaco-based helicopter company, is this year celebrating three decades of providing VIP helicopter transport.
The company, founded in 1988, offers transfer services between Monaco heliport and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France, as well as helicopter tours of the French Riviera and private flight charters to all destinations in a radius of 500km around Monaco.
The transfer service has turned Monacair into an ambassador for the Principality. Damien Mazaudier, CEO of Monacair, comments: “As the sole operator of the helicopter transfer between the Principality and Nice Airport, Monacair is the first and last thing visitors experience in Monaco. This puts upon our shoulders the responsibility to deliver a unique and unforgettable service at an affordable price.
“For that, we invested in a modern fleet of helicopters and engaged partnerships with airlines to become the only helicopter company in the world providing scheduled transfers that include airline check-in services.”
The ambition: turn a transfer service into a helicopter airline
Flights to and from Nice Airport, which is located 18 kilometers from Monaco, take just seven minutes. Monacair’s partnerships with airlines are key to the helicopter company’s success with this route. Working with airlines allow customers to leave Monaco only one hour before their flight at the airport. Indeed, passengers can obtain their boarding pass to final destination in Monaco, have their luggage checked-in to the final destination, and enjoy a direct transfer to the boarding gate. A stress-free and time-saving transfer!
The speed and convenience of this flight has led Monacair to operate up to 48 transfers per day, with a helicopter departing every 15 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm.This enables residents and visitors to benefit from what can be considered as Monaco’s own airline service. Passengers arriving at Monaco heliport are chauffeur-driven to their final destination and enjoy the same service when they leave.
The many prestigious events hosted in Monaco, such as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Monaco Yacht Show, Top Marques and the Monaco Grand Prix, generate a considerable amount of work for Monacair, as the company allows attendees to enjoy the events longer than any other mean of transfer. In a single day during the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, the company’s six passenger capacity H130 helicopter transferred 1,200 passengers between Nice Airport and Monaco.
Monacair intends to build on this success by nurturing partnerships with more airlines.
It currently counts Air France, British Airways, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Air Corsica among its main airline partners.
The CEO explains: “Our airlines partners are extremely satisfied with Monacair’s transfer service. It allows them to add a new country to their service offer while providing an unforgettable pre- and post-flight VIP experience.
“Other airlines are starting to understand what it implies in terms of customer loyalty, which is why we are rapidly expanding partnerships within this industry.”
The Monaco helicopter company operates a fleet of 33 helicopters, composed of 11 different types. The open-design cabin of its Airbus H130 offers passengers a 180° panoramic view, which makes it the perfect helicopter for scenic tours over Monaco and the French Riviera, as well as for airport transfers.
Its enlarged hold allows space for six pieces of luggage, in addition to the luggage passengers can take into the cabin. The Leonardo AW109 has a maximum speed of 311 kilometres per hour and a luxurious interior, making it ideal for private flights.
Monacair is based at Monaco heliport in Fontvieille, the Principality’s business district.
HSH Prince’s trip to Rethondes, Péronne and Cormicy
On December 6 and 7, 2018, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco completed his memory journey on the occasion of the centenary of the First World War, in tribute to the residents of Monaco mobilized during the conflict and the voluntary commitment of Monegasques , in the wake of his great-grandfather, Prince Louis, liaison officer in the 5th French Army from 1914 to 1918.
HSH Prince’s trip to Rethondes, Péronne and Cormicy
After having visited the Marne in 2015, in Verdun in 2016 and on the Chemin des Dames in 2017, having participated in the international commemorations of November 11, 2018 in Paris, the Sovereign Prince moved on Thursday, December 6, in Rethondes. , in the clearing of the armistice, commune of Compiegne (Oise), to the Historial of the Great War of Péronne (Somme), as well as, the following day, in Cormicy (Marne), where a Trail of the “Prince soldier” was inaugurated.
A moving patriotic ceremony, in remembrance of the service of Prince Louis II, who combined flag-bearers and schoolchildren, awaited Prince Albert at Rethondes.
In Péronne, HSH the Prince visited the museum, which, for over twenty-five years, refers to France in terms of the history of the First World War.
The city is also known, in the history of the Principality, for being the place of signature of the Franco-Monegasque treaty of September 14, 1641, an important step in the affirmation of the sovereignty of Monaco, and at the origin of the “Community of destiny” existing between the two countries for nearly four centuries.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled and the Prince received a Republican welcome at City Hall.
73rd UNGA Annual Session on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
On Tuesday, December 11, the UN adopted the annual resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, which refers in particular to the meeting held in Monaco in 2017 by the Monaco Scientific Center and the International Space Agency. atomic energy on the socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification.
This text also mentions the General Assembly of the International Coral Reef Initiative held in Monaco from 5 to 7 December 2018.
In his speech, Florian Botto, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the UN in New York, recalled the commitment of HSH the Sovereign Prince in favor of marine protected areas and marine science, particularly in the framework of the “Explorations of Monaco”.
He also mentioned the 3 rd Meeting of the Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks, held this week in the Principality.
Finally, he highlighted the fact that climate change and ocean health are linked and that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will present a special report on the ocean and the cryosphere with of climate change, in September 2019 in Monaco.
Inauguration of the new underground pedestrian access at Monaco Station
Thursday saw the official opening of the new underground pedestrian access at Monaco Station.
This new pedestrian gallery was inaugurated by HSH the Sovereign Prince in the presence of HE the Minister of State Serge Telle, Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Government Advisor-Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism, Stéphane Valéri, President of the National Council, Mayor Georges Marsan, and Patrick Dubief, Monaco Station Manager.
Inauguration of the new underground pedestrian access at Monaco2 Station – copyright – Directorate of Communication / Manuel Vitali
Started in January 2017, the work of this 80-meter link lasted nearly two years, for a budget of 10 million Euros. This is an important work in this underground station already meshed by multiple access to the neighborhoods of Fontvieille and Condamine.
As Marie-Pierre Gramaglia pointed out during her speech, “This gallery aims to reduce the pedestrian traffic at the exit of the station, on the crossing of the Sainte Dévote bridge, traffic which has the effect of slowing the flow of motor vehicles especially during rush hours in the morning and evening.
Remember that the station of Monaco is the second most popular of the Côte d’Azur after Nice, counting each year 6.7 million trips, against 2.3 million in 1998.
The great international event, the Monaco World Sports Legends Award, has just taken place in Monte Carlo. It is for sport and its finest champions what the Oscars of Los Angeles are for the cinema and its actors. The Media Day was held on Friday 7th December while on Saturday 8th the 3rd Award Ceremony and Gala DinnerShow with Red Carpet was held in the Salle D’Or of the Fairmont Monte Carlo, situated in the famous bend of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
It was an unforgettable and superbly elegant evening, produced by Promo Art Monte-Carlo Production and bringing together sporting stars with entertainment, art, fashion and glamour to make the WSLA a unique international showcase and an exclusive VIP Red Carpet: the Oscars of Sport.
The event was presented by the international ballet star Lorena Baricalla, Ambassadress and Master of Ceremonies for the Monaco World Sports Legends Award.
Again for this 3rd edition, the list of those who received the World Sport Legends Award presented the greatest world sporting champions: Osvaldo Ardiles from Argentina, Football World Champion, Jutta Kleinschmidt from Germany, the only woman who has won the Paris-Dakar and Freddie Spencer from the USA, 3 times World Champion MotoGP.
The WSLA Posthumous Award was given to the Brazilian, Ayrton Senna 3 times Formula 1 World Champion and one of Formula 1’s greatest legends. The Award was received by his niece, Bianca Senna, President of the “Instituto Ayrton Senna”, who came expressly from Brazil.
Lastly, the WSLA Best Values for Community Support recognized Doctor Claudio Costa, the Italian doctor and founder of the Mobile Clinic in MotoGp, which has saved the lives of many champions.
There were some really emotional moments during the Awards ceremony, prompting warm applause from the audience.
These Sporting Legends joined the Awarded of the past Editions: in 2016 Giacomo Agostini, Carl Fogarty, Mika Häkkinen, Tia Hellebaut, Sir Anthony McCoy, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Grand Master Jhong Uhk Kim, Pernilla Wiberg, Victor Tello (WSLA Best Values Award for community support), Antony Noghès (WSLA Posthumous Award received by Noghès Family).
In 2017 Michael Doohan, Jacky Ickx, Josefa Idem, Michèle Mouton and Armin Zöggeler
The prestigious Prize awards sporting champions, men and women, both active and retired, who have gained distinction not only for their sporting exploits but also for their example, which is an inspiration for the new generations. The special prize “Best Sports Values” awards an athlete who stands out for an exemplary sporting gesture which embodies sport’s ethical and moral values, or to well-known people for their community support through sport.
The “Posthumous Awards” is conferred on great champions with legendary careers or to well-known people who operated in the sporting sector.
The Monaco World Sports Legends Award aims at promoting sport’s ethical and moral values as ideals to motivate others, especially the young, to excel.
The Awarded enter the Pantheon of the World Sports Legends through their handprints.
The event took place in partnership with the Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo.
It also benefited from the support of the Automobile Club of Monaco and the Monte Carlo Board of Tourism and Congresses, and as well of the partnership of the Sun Casino.
For the third consecutive year Radio Monte Carlo of the Mediaset Group was the Official Radio of the WSLA.
Officials partners of the event were the Swiss brand of luxury watches Century Time Gems and Arctic World Club with its President Sergey Egorov, an international organization that has active development of the Arctic region as its goal. Since its establishment, the Club’s activities have been closely l inked to business, science, culture, sports and charity events in Russia and abroad.
Another partner was the Frank Rose company, which operates in the lifestyle and art sector.
RusMonaco was the Official Magazine for the WSLA.
Key moments throughout the two-day event highlight fashion and glamour. Accordingly, for the Award Ceremony and Red Carpet, the Master of Ceremonies Lorena Baricalla wore four haute couture gowns in precious fabrics from the 2018 and 2019 collections by the renowned Franco-Lebanese fashion designer Dany Atrache whose creations are paraded at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.
As well. on the Media Day she wore Dany Atrache for the Press Conference followed by the Awarded Dinner.
For the WSLA Talk Show held on the Media Day Lorena Baricalla wore a series of couture dresses Made in Italy from the new 2018 and 2019 collections by Raquel Balencia, Spanish fashion designer Milano based.
As well, she wore precious watches by the exclusive Swiss brand Century Time Gems.
The brand Eles Italia dressed some of the guests on the red carpet and created the outfits for the hostesses on stage.
The World Sport Legends Award’s Red Carpet is among Monte Carlo’s most prestigious and has become the place to be. Consequently, the event was attended by a fine array of world sporting champions, international stars and VIPs. Among this year’s guests were Johann Zarco, MotoGP rider; Antonio Giovinazzi, F1 driver who has joined the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team; Stéphane Richelmi, LMP2 driver in the Jacky Chan DC Racing Team; the MotoGP Champion Virginio Ferrari; Gianluca Montiron, MotoGP Team Principal; the Italian synchronised swimming champions Linda Cerruti and Costanza Ferro; the TV Presenter Yann-Antony Noghès who received the “WSLA Posthumous Award” in 2016 on behalf of his grandfather Anthony Noghès.
From the leading business sector Sergey Egorov of Arctic World Club. From the fashion world the fashion designer Raquel Balencia and the fashion designers Stefania and Silvia Loriga of Eles Italia.
And finally Lorenzo Frateschi, CEO of Radio Monte Carlo; His Excellency the Italian Ambassador Cristiano Gallo; Christine Barca, General Secretary of the Fight Aids Monaco Association founded by Princess Stephanie of Monaco.”
The Red carpet was over 50 metres long and was decorated with the works “WSLA – Art meets Sport”, created by Marcos Marin, Official Artist of the Foundation of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, who also conceived the Oscar “statuette”.
The “Pantheon of the World Sports Legends” was also exhibited, reuniting the handprints which were realized in previous years with the awarded champions.
In addition, Photo Shooting Sets were created on the Red Carpet by Official Partners Century Time Gems and Arctic World Club.”
The Gala, conceived as an American-style show, included entertainment with performances by the corps de ballet, the orchestra, and the guitarist Massimo Borelli.
Lorena Baricalla gave a moving performance of the song ‘I dreamed a dream’.
Voice-off was Nick the Nightfly from Radio Monte Carlo.
The Menu was especially created and prepared by Didier Aniès, Head Chef at the Fairmont “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, with the undertaking to highlight local and seasonal products and to follow the Mr Goodfish programme for the sustainable consumption of seafood.
The first day of the programme featured the Media Day on 7th December. In the venues of the Fairmont Monte Carlo, and included the WSLA Talk Show “Sporting Stars: The Men or the Women behind the Champion” and “Show, Art and Fashion” hosted by the Ambassadress Lorena Baricalla; the Handprints Show for the creation of the champions’ handprints by artist Marcos Marin; and the Art Show put on by Century Time Gems, Official
Partner of the event.
Then, the Official Press Conference was held in the late afternoon in the Salon des Princes at the prestigious Automobile Club de Monaco, followed by a cocktail.
Finally, the day concluded with the Awarded Dinner in the Automobile Club de Monaco’s exclusive and private “Cellier” (the Cellar) – a privileged place that can only be accessed by VIPs at an international level.
On 8th December the Awards Ceremony with a Gala Dinner-Show was held in the Salle D’Or at the Fairmont Hotel, preceded by the Red Carpet with Cocktail in the Crystal Gallery.
The prestigious evening ended with the After Ceremony Red Carpet and the WSLA Party at the Sun Casino.
The WSLA is an event which is enjoying ever greater success, and only two years since its inception, on its 16 social networks and web channels, the photos and videos of the Oscars of Sport attract round 4,200,000 views per year.
www.worldsportslegendsaward.com
Monaco participates in the Intergovernmental Conference on migration
A Monegasque delegation led by Patrice Cellario, Government Counselor-Minister of the Interior, participated in the High-Level Intergovernmental Conference to adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which was held at Marrakech, December 10th and 11th, 2018.
The draft Covenant, the adoption of which was decided in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of the United Nations General Assembly of 19 September 2016, was approved by 190 member states on July 13, 2018, after several months of consultations and negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.
This document is the first comprehensive frame of reference covering all dimensions of international migration and applies to all forced migration, including displacements resulting from climate change.
A non-binding document, the Global Compact on Migration aims to promote international cooperation to manage the phenomenon of migration, while respecting the sovereign right of states, in order to promote legal migration routes and combat irregular migration.
In his speech, Mr Cellario recalled Monaco’s commitment to multilateralism, cooperation and international solidarity.
Monaco’s support for the Covenant underscored the Principality’s commitment to respect and promote the rights of the most vulnerable in the context of migration, particularly migrant women and children, the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling, the promotion of inclusive societies and the fight against the effects of climate change.
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The company, founded in 1988, offers transfer services between Monaco heliport and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France, as well as helicopter tours of the French Riviera and private flight charters to all destinations in a radius of 500km around Monaco.
