Author: VVIP Flight

Operating a General Aviation flight into India requires prior regulatory clearances and landing permissions from the Indian aviation authorities. Whether the operation involves a business jet, charter aircraft, technical fuel stop, overflight, defense airport operation, or air ambulance mission, operators must ensure all permits are obtained within the required timelines.

Permit processing timelines in India vary depending on:

• Type of operation
• Country of origin
• Airport category
• Nature of aircraft movement
• Defense clearance requirements

India Landing Permit Lead Time for General Aviation Flights

For non-scheduled foreign-registered aircraft operating into India, landing permission must be obtained before the flight operates.

Standard Lead Time: 3 Working Days

The flight should operate on the 4th day after permit application submission. This applies to most international General Aviation operations into India.

Lead Time for PRC and Restricted-Origin Flights:  7 Working Days 

The flight should operate on the 8th day after application submission for flights originating from:

• China
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Iraq
• Somalia
• Nigeria

Documents Required:

• Flight Details
• Crew Details
• Passenger Details
• Aircraft Documents (Certificate of Airworthiness, Certificate of Registration, Noise Certificate & AOC)

India Technical Landing Permit Lead Time (Fuel Stop)

Aircraft making a technical stop in India for refueling or operational purposes also require prior landing permission.

Standard Technical Landing Permit Lead Time: 1 Working Day

The flight should operate on the 2nd day after the permit application. This applies to most technical stop operations.

Technical Landing Permit Lead Time for Restricted-Origin Flights: 3 Working Days

The flight should operate on the 4th day after the permit application for flights originating from:

• China
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Iraq
• Somalia
• Nigeria

Documents Required:

The following are required for India technical landing permit applications:

• Flight Details
• Crew Details
• Passenger Details
• Aircraft Documents (C of A, C of R, Noise Certificate & AOC)

India Overflight Permit Lead Time

Foreign-registered aircraft transiting Indian airspace without landing require overflight permission.

Standard Overflight Permit Lead Time: 1 Working Day

The flight should operate on the 2nd day after application submission.

Overflight Permit Lead Time for Restricted-Origin Flights: 3 Working Days

The flight should operate on the 4th day after the permit application for flights originating from:

• China
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Iraq
• Somalia
• Nigeria

India Defense Airport Landing Permit

Operations into defense or military airports in India require additional clearances and significantly longer processing timelines, as these airports are subject to both civil aviation and defense authority approvals.

Lead Time: 3 to 4 Weeks (15–20 Business Days)

Operators are strongly advised to apply at least one month in advance when planning operations into any defense airfield.

AOR — Air Operations Routine Number

For any aircraft, civil or military, landing at a defense airfield, an Air Operations Routine (AOR) Number is required in addition to the standard landing permit clearance issued by the Civil Aviation Office (DGCA).

Applications for AOR must be submitted to Air Headquarters (for IAF aerodromes) or Naval Headquarters (for coastline aerodromes), as applicable, through DGCA. The application must include full details of all foreign pilots and foreign passengers, including Passport details.

If a civil aircraft is operating for military purposes and carrying a military call sign, both landing permit clearance and AOR clearance are required. In such cases, the application must be made to both the Ministry of Defence and DGCA through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The formal proposal to MoD must be submitted at least one month prior to the proposed date of operations and should include:

• Name of the defense aerodrome(s)
• Proposed date/month of operations
• Type of aircraft
• Proposed schedule (if available)
• Details of foreign pilots/crew
• Details of foreign passengers onboard

Note: AOR is generally valid within a ±2 hour window of the Estimated Time of Departure (ETD).

We coordinate the AOR application process on your behalf. To initiate, we require complete crew details including: Name, Father’s Name, Passport Number, Date of Issue, Date of Expiry, Date of Birth, Nationality, and any other information as required by the authorities.

India Landing Permit Lead Time for Air Ambulance & Medical Relief Flights

For medical, ambulance, or relief mission flights, the standard minimum notice period requirement may be waived. Such cases are processed on the same day within a few hours, subject to the availability of required documents and the relevant CAA official.

Additional Documents Required (beyond standard flight and aircraft documents):

• Treating Doctor Details
• Hospital Details
• Patient Medical Report
• Crew Details
• Passenger/Medical Escort Details
• Aircraft Documents including Certificate of Airworthiness, Certificate of Registration, Insurance, Noise Certificate, and AOC

If the operation involves a defense airport or military-controlled aerodrome, additional defense clearances and AOR approval will also be required which can be obtained short notice. (see Defense Airport section above).

India Landing Permit for Military Flights

Permit applications for all military flights must be channeled through the respective country’s embassy or consulate via diplomatic channels. Approval from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is also mandatory.

Military flights operating into Indian Air Force, Naval, or other defense-controlled aerodromes require an AOR Number in addition to the standard YA clearance.

Documents Required:

• Aircraft Type and Registration
• Flight Schedule
• Purpose of Flight
• Crew Details
• Foreign Passenger Details
• Passport Information and Nationality Details
• Details of Military cargo onboard (if any)

Typical processing timeline: 15–20 business days. Operators are advised to apply at least one month in advance wherever possible.

India Landing Permit for Head of State & Diplomatic Flights

Head of State, diplomatic, and special government mission flights operating into India require prior diplomatic clearance along with civil aviation and, where applicable, defense approvals. Such operations are coordinated through official diplomatic channels and generally involve approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

For operations into defense airports or military-controlled airfields, an AOR Number and CAA clearance are also required depending on type of mission. AOR validity is generally ±2 hours of ETD.

Documents Required:

• Diplomatic Note
• Flight Schedule
• Aircraft Details
• Crew and Passenger Details
• Passport Information
• Purpose of Mission
• Security Coordination Information

Lead times for diplomatic and Head of State flights vary depending on the airport, routing, security requirements, and the extent of defense coordination involved. Early application is strongly recommended.

Need Assistance With Your Landing Permits? We’re Happy to Help!

If you are planning your trip to India, our team will be pleased to assist you with the landing permits. 

We can assist you throughout the complete permit process by coordinating with the concerned authorities, managing documentation, and helping obtain all approvals in a smooth and timely manner.

Please feel free to contact us for any assistance at: ops@vvipflight.com

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the information provided in the above article is subject to change without prior notice. We recommend contacting our operations team for the latest regulations, updates, and accurate information before planning your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How quickly can a technical landing or fuel stop permit be obtained in India?

Technical landing permits for refueling or operational stops are generally processed within 1 working day for most operators. Flights originating from certain restricted countries may require additional processing time.

2. Do defense airports in India require special permits?

Yes. Operations into Indian military and defense airports require additional approvals beyond the standard DGCA landing permit. Operators must also obtain an Air Operations Routine (AOR) Number and complete the necessary defense authority clearance process, which can take 15–20 business days or longer, depending on the mission profile.

3.  Are air ambulance and medical evacuation flights eligible for expedited permit approvals in India?

Yes. Air ambulance, medical evacuation, and humanitarian relief flights are often processed on a priority basis. Subject to the availability of required medical documentation and regulatory approvals, permits may be issued within a few hours for genuine emergency operations.

If you are operating a flight into or through Indian airspace, you will come across two clearance numbers that are mandatory before any departure: the FIC and the ADC. Understanding what they are, who issues them, and how to obtain them will save you time and prevent costly delays on the ground.

FIC (Flight Information Centre)

A FIC number is a confirmation code issued by the relevant ATC authority, verifying that your flight plan has been correctly filed, authenticated, and accepted for departure.

Who Issues the FIC?

The relevant ATC unit issues the FIC in coordination with the ATS (Air Traffic Services) units of the Airports Authority of India. The process is handled electronically through ATC and flight planning systems once the required flight plan has been submitted and all operational permits are in place.

When is the FIC Issued?

The FIC number is typically issued as soon as the flight plan is submitted. It is important to file your flight plan well in advance to allow sufficient processing time.

How Long is the FIC Valid?

The FIC is valid from 15 minutes before the filed ETD until 45 minutes after it. If your departure is delayed beyond that 45-minute window, or if there are any changes to the route or aircraft details, a fresh FIC will need to be obtained.

How Crew/Operator Can Obtain FIC

The FIC is normally coordinated on behalf of the operator by:

• An authorised ground handling agency
• A flight support company
• The dispatcher or Operations Control Centre (OCC)

For flights overflying India without landing, the FIC number is generally conveyed through AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network). Alternatively, the crew can request the FIC number directly from ATC before entering the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region).

ADC (Air Defence Clearance)

The ADC is a mandatory operational clearance issued for aircraft movements in India, specifically for operations within the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). It confirms that the flight has been reviewed and cleared from an air defence and national security perspective, and that Indian military air defence authorities have been notified and have approved the operation.

Without a valid ADC, ATC will not normally permit departure. This is non-negotiable.

When is ADC Required?

ADC is required for the following types of operations:

• International flights into or out of India
• Domestic non-scheduled and private flights
• Charter operations
• Ferry flights
• Military-sensitive routing operations

Who Issues the ADC?

The ADC is issued by the relevant Indian Air Defence authorities, specifically the Military Liaison Unit (MLU), in coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India.

Like the FIC, it is processed electronically through ATC and flight planning systems after the required flight plan has been filed and operational permits obtained.

When is the ADC Issued?

The ADC number is typically issued approximately 1 hour before the filed ETD. Ensuring your flight plan and permits are submitted well ahead of time is essential to avoid any last-minute clearance issues.

How Long Is the ADC Valid?

The ADC follows the same validity window as the FIC: it is valid from 15 minutes before the filed ETD until 45 minutes after. Any delay beyond 45 minutes, a route change, or a change in aircraft details will require a fresh ADC to be obtained.

How Crew/Operator Can Obtain ADC

ADC is normally coordinated through:

• An authorised ground handling agency
• A flight support company
• The dispatcher or Operations Control Centre (OCC)

For international business aviation in India, the supervisory or handling agent will coordinate the ADC process on behalf of the operator as part of the standard pre-departure process. 

For overflights, the ADC number is generally conveyed through AFTN. Alternatively, the crew may also request the ADC number from ATC before entering the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region).

The Combined FIC and ADC Process

• In practice, the FIC and ADC are closely linked. Once the flight plan is submitted to ATC, both confirmation numbers are generally issued together as part of the same clearance process. 
• The flight plan is only considered fully cleared when both the ADC and FIC numbers have been received and confirmed.
• Prior to obtaining the final departure clearance, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) may be required to reconfirm both the ADC and FIC numbers with ATC.

If you have any questions regarding the above article or require any assistance for your next trip to India, please feel free to contact our team at ops@vvipflight.com

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the information provided in the above article is subject to change without prior notice. We recommend contacting our operations team for the latest regulations, updates, and accurate information before planning your trip. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between an FIC Number and an ADC Number in India?

An FIC (Flight Information Centre) Number confirms that a flight plan has been filed, validated, and accepted by Air Traffic Control. An ADC (Air Defence Clearance) Number confirms that the flight has been cleared from an air defence and national security perspective. Both numbers are mandatory for most international and non-scheduled flight operations in India and must be obtained before departure.

2. When are FIC and ADC Numbers issued in India?

The FIC Number is generally issued shortly after the flight plan is filed and accepted by ATC. The ADC Number is typically issued closer to departure, usually around one hour before the Estimated Time of Departure (ETD), after the necessary operational and security checks have been completed.

3. How long are FIC and ADC Numbers valid?

Both FIC and ADC Numbers are generally valid from 15 minutes before the filed ETD until 45 minutes after the ETD. If the flight is delayed beyond this validity window or if there are changes to the route, aircraft, or flight details, fresh clearances may be required.

4. Are FIC and ADC Numbers required for private jet and charter flights in India?

Yes. FIC and ADC clearances are typically required for all flights, including international business aviation operations, private jets, charter flights, ferry flights, and many domestic non-scheduled flights operating within Indian airspace. Operators should ensure both numbers are obtained before departure to avoid operational delays.