The challenges of airfield catering
For more than two decades, CLE has proudly delivered seamless hospitality solutions for global clients at the Paris Airshow, one of the most prestigious events in the aerospace calendar. Serving clients from across the world in this highly competitive environment requires not only precision and creativity but also an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges of catering and event management at an international airfield.
Operating at the Paris Airshow is unlike other run of the mill catering assignments. The scale, location, and logistical restrictions mean that everything must be meticulously planned and executed. Some of the biggest challenges include:
Time management: With strict airfield access schedules and heightened security, deliveries and setup must run like clockwork. Any delays can impact the guest experience, making timing one of the most critical factors.
Offsite caterers: Working with offsite caterers means coordinating food preparation and deliveries with precision. CLE’s longstanding supplier relationships and global experience ensure that nothing is left to chance.
Environmental health management: Health and safety regulations are stringent, and CLE works closely with local environmental health departments to maintain the highest food hygiene standards, even in temporary chalet kitchens
Dietary requirements and allergies: Today’s clients expect menus to cater for all diets. CLE’s systems ensure that every guest’s requirements are not only met but anticipated, from allergen management to culturally specific preferences.
Finding the right team: The hospitality teams at the Paris Airshow need to be highly skilled, adaptable, and calm under pressure. CLE’s core group of managers, many of whom have worked globally with the company for over 20 years, provide consistency and expertise that ensures service is always of the highest standard.
Catering styles and spaces
We understand that world-class hospitality is about more than just great food, it’s about creating the right spaces and experiences to match each client’s needs. At the Paris Airshow, we deliver a complete range of catering environments, including:
Guest reception and meeting areas: Welcoming lounges where guests can wait comfortably ahead of meetings. We not only manages the hospitality in these spaces but also support the scheduling and flow of meeting rooms, ensuring refreshments are delivered seamlessly, attentive but never intrusive.
Informal dining for staff: Behind the scenes, we ensure that client teams remain hydrated and energised. Informal dining areas provide quick, nutritious options and constant access to refreshments, enabling staff to perform at their best throughout the demanding days of the trade show.
Full-scale dining rooms: For client-facing hospitality, we create and manages complete dining environments ranging from executive-level served buffets to full à la carte menus with wine service. Every detail, from menu design to table service, is carefully curated to reflect the client’s brand, standards, and expectations.
This balance of formal and informal catering ensures that everyone, from executives to staff, experience the same level of care and attention.
Supporting our clients off and onsite
Where hospitality needs to go beyond the chalets, we work closely with clients to provide dedicated catering and support for delegates, ensuring that they are always looked after in the chalets, exhibition halls and directly by their aircraft.
Our clients also proudly sponsor the International Youth Rocketry Championships, inspiring the next generation of aerospace innovators. We are honoured to support this by helping host a celebratory dinner for International Youth Rocketry Championships participants and their families.
In addition to onsite commitments, clients hosts major offsite events in the heart of Paris. In 2025, we proudly supported these prestigious gatherings at:
Hôtel des Invalides – a historic landmark steeped in French heritage
Restaurant Baronne – an elegant dining venue offering modern Parisian flair
Musée Rodin – an iconic cultural setting that provided a memorable backdrop for distinguished guests and industry members
Each event brought its own set of challenges, from working in historic venues to managing high-profile guest lists, and we ensured flawless delivery every time.
Maximising hospitality space with chalet design
Hospitality chalets at the Paris Airshow are an investment for clients, both in terms of construction and rental. Wasted space is wasted money. That’s why we also provide chalet design consultancy, helping clients plan and configure their spaces to maximise efficiency, comfort, and brand impact. From guest flow to catering logistics, we ensure that every square metre works hard to deliver value.
Two decades of global experience
CLE’s longevity at the Paris Airshow is no coincidence. Our experience, attention to detail, and global perspective mean we know how to anticipate issues before they arise. For more than 20 years, we’ve delivered outstanding results for clients, ensuring their hospitality reflects the innovation and excellence they showcase at the event.