One of the country’s most popular destinations and a coastal city in the state of Victoria, Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, home to lots of music, art, and museums. It also has the closest international gateways to the Tyabb Air Show, taking place on March 8.

Essendon Airport

ICAO: YMEN
IATA: MEB
Latitude/ longitude: s37-43.7 e144-54.1
Elevation: 282 ft / 86 m.
Variation: 11e
Time zone: utc+10 (DST)

Essendon Airport is a public airport serving scheduled commercial, corporate-jet, charter and general aviation flights to Melbourne and its surroundings. It’s often the first choice for domestic travel in Australia and has a good range of FBO facilities for GA flights. The ABF shift change is between 1330-1430lcl so it’s recommended to avoid international flights during this period. The airport also has an operating curfew in place between 2300 – 0600 LCL daily with exceptions only for medical flights. It has the infrastructure to handle all types of general aviation aircraft.

Operational information

Overflight and landing permits are not required for private flights
Non-scheduled commercial flights don’t require overflight permits
Non-scheduled commercial flights require landing permits
The lead time for permit approval is 3 days
JetA1 and Avgas is available
Slots/PPR is not required
Parking is subject to availability

Melbourne airport

ICAO: YMML
IATA: MEL
Airport type: international
Latitude / longitude: S37-40.4 E144-50.6
Elevation: 434 ft.
Variation: 11e
Time zone: UTC+10 (uses DST)

Melbourne, or Tullamarine airport, is the second busiest airport in Australia. It has only one FBO – Melbourne Jet Base – which also has hangarage for parking (subject to availability). YMML does not have a curfew and can handle all aircraft types and sizes.

Operational information

Overflight and landing permits are not required for private flights
Non-scheduled commercial flights do not require overflight permits
Non-scheduled commercial flights require landing permits
The lead time for permit approval is three days
Slots are required, discrepancy window +/-15 minutes for arrivals and departures
PPR is not required
Parking is subject to availability
JetA1 and Avgas is available

Immigration

Australian border force will clear international flights at YMEN with at least 24 hours of prior notice or preferably 48 hours.

If international flights arriving and/or departing with more than 10 passengers, further approval will be required from the Australian government’s Border Operations Centre.

Attractions

Captain Cook’s Cottage
Old Melbourne Gaol
Melbourne Museum
Queen Victoria Market
Southbank

For support with your flight operations to Mebourne, contact UAS.