Airport traffic in India is on the upswing, as a result of significant growth in scheduled, commercial and low-cost carrier operations. General Aviation (GA) has to keep in mind peak commercial traffic periods along with potential parking challenges while planning International trip in India.
The following is an overview of what you need to know:
- Popular Airports with CIQ facilities in India : VIDP Airport (Delhi airport), VABB Airport (Mumbai airport), VOBL airport (Bangalore airport),VOMM Airport ( Chennai Airport), VOGO airport (Goa Airport) , VECC airport (Kolkata Airport), VOCI airport (Cochin Airport),VOHS airport ( Hyderabad Airport), VAAH airport (Ahmadabad Airport),VOTV airport ( Trivandrum Airport), VOCL airport ( Calicut Airport), VILK airport (Lucknow Airport), VIAR airport (Amritsar Airport), VOTR airport ( Trichy Airport), VIJP airport (Jaipur Airport), VOML airport (Mangalore Airport), VAPO airport (Pune Airport), VANP airport (Nagpur Airport),VOCB airport ( Coimbatore Airport), VEGY Airport (Gaya Airport), VEDB Airport (Bagdogra Airport), VEGT Airport (Guwahati Airport),VEBN Airport ( Varanasi Airport), VICG airport (Chandigarh Airport), VOVZ airport ( Vishakhapatnam Airport), VOMD airport (Madurai Airport), VEBS airport (Bhubaneswar Airport) and VOPB airport ( Port Blair Airport).
- Parking considerations : Overnight parking at most of the Indian Airports are available with prior notice. The most challenging airport in India for GA parking is Mumbai (VABB), Jodhpur (VIJO), Chandigarh (VICG) and Goa (VOGO). VABB has a 72-hour GA parking limitation with longer-term parking generally not available. If you want to stay at VABB more than three days, you have to take prior approval and pay penal charges. Chandigarh (VICG) is another airport with parking limitations. Jodhpur (VIJO) and Goa (VOGO) can be challenging due to the paucity of GA parking spots. Please note many Indian airports implement temporary parking restrictions from time to time. It’s always recommended to confirm all parking arrangements well in advance with your agent or handler.
- Airport slots and PPR: When you operate to larger Airports of Entry (AOEs), airport slots are required. Slots are requested via e-mail / fax from the airport slot coordinator. This is generally done by the agent or handler on the behalf of operator. Currently, the toughest airport in India to secure preferred slot times is VABB. Please note that slot deviation depends on the particular airport Prior Permissions. New Delhi (VIDP) is the airport with slot validity of +- 30 minutes.
- General Aviation Crew Visa Requirements for India :All general aviation crew arriving in India must carry with them a valid BUSINESS VISA issued by the Indian Embassy / Consulate or an E-BUSINESS VISA available online. If time permitting, it is recommended that they carry with them a valid Business Visa issued by the Indian Embassy/Consulate. For applying the Business Visa, some Embassies ask for an invitation/sponsorship letter which VVIP Flight will gladly provide.
- Visa on arrival /E-visa facility: Yes, Visa on arrival / E-visa facility is available at most of the international airports in India. Crew must arrive with online approved valid Indian e- business visa to get visa on arrival.
- Towing requirements : While some power in/power out parking spots are available – particularly at smaller airports in India – the standard operating procedure at larger Airport is often a tow or push to the taxiway. Once moved to the taxiway, and ground clearance has been received, the aircraft will be permitted to move on its own power. It is mandatory regulation to carry tow bar on board the aircraft, however tow bar of most of the business aircrafts are available with the handler in airport like VABB (Mumbai) and VIDP (New Delhi).
- Flight Planning requirements : On day of departure, your ground handler will notify air traffic control, ensure your flight plan is filed with local ATC (Air traffic Controller) and also submit paper work required for departure clearance. Your handler will ensure all airport fees are paid and invoice the operator at a later date. It is NOT mandatory for pilot in command to go to the tower to sign the flight plan. FIC (Flight Information centre) and ADC (Air Defense clearance) number are perquisite to obtain departure clearance (push back / start up permission). These numbers are coordinated by Agent / ground handler and pass on to PIC well before departure.
- Curfew and Restrictions : It is recommended to check GA restriction and curfew before you operate into India
- Aviation Jet Fuel: Fuel facility is available at most of the international airports in India.
- Caterer: Catering, laundry and dish cleaning facility are available with most of the caterers at international airport in India.
- Major Domestic Airports in India :VEAT Airport :(Agartala Airport), VIBR Airport (Kullu or Bhuntar Airport), VOAT Airport (Agatti Airport) VELR Airport (Lilabari Airport) (North Lakhimpur), VAAU Airport (Aurangabad Airport), VILK Airport (Ludhiana Airport), VEBA Airport (Behala Airport), VOMD Airport (Madurai Airport), VOBM Airport (Belgaum Airport), VOMY Airport (Mysore Airport) , VABV Airport (Bhavnagar Airport), VIPT Airport (Pantnagar Airport), VABP Airport (Bhopal Airport), VOPC Airport (Pondicherry Airport), VEBS Airport (Bhubaneswar Airport), VAPR Airport (Porbandar Airport) , VIDN Airport (Dehradun Airport), VARP Airport (Raipur Airport), VEMN Airport (Dibrugarh Airport) , VORY Airport (Rajahmundry Airport), VEMR Airport (Dimapur Airport), VARK Airport (Rajkot Airport), VAGD Airport (Gondia Airport), VERC Airport (Ranchi Airport), VOHB Airport (Hubli Airport ), VOHY Airport (Hyderabad Airport) (Begumpet), VOSM Airport (Salem Airport), VEIM Airport (Imphal Airport), VEBI Airport (Shillong Airport) (Umroi), VAID Airport (Indore Airport), VISM Airport (Shimla Airport), VAJB Airport (Jabalpur Airport) , VASU Airport (Surat Airport), VAJJ Airport (Juhu Airport), VOTP Airport (Tirupati Airport), VAKE Airport (Kandla Airport), VOTK Airport (Tuticorin Airport), VIGG Airport (Kangra Airport)(Gaggal), VAUD Airport (Udaipur Airport), VOKN Airport (Kanpur Airport) , VABO Airport (Vadodara Airport) , VEKO Airport (Khajuraho Airport), VOBZ Airport (Vijayawada Airport).
- Major Military / Defense Airports in India : VIAG airport (Agra Airport), VIJO airport (Jodhpur Airport) , VEAB airport (Allahabad Airport), VABJ airport (Bhuj Airport), VEGK airport ( Gorakhpur airport), VEJT airport (Jorhat Airport), VIJR airport (Jaisalmer Airport) , VABJ ( Bhuj Airport), VICG (Chandigarh Airport), VIGR (Gwalior Airport), VAJM airport (Jamnagar Airport), VOVZ airport (Visakhapatnam Airport), VOGO airport (Goa Airport), VAPO airport ( Pune Airport), VOYK airport ( Yelahanka Air Force Station), VOPB airport (Port Blair Airport), VAOZ airport (Ozar Airport), VIDX Airport (Hindon Airport).
If you have any questions about this article or would like assistance planning your next trip to India, contact us ops@vvipflight.com or (OPS) – (+91)-8010686868
Note: Regulations, watch hours, NOTAM or any other information given in above page are subject to change from time to time, for most latest information please feel free to contact us.