Business Aviation Operations to Djibouti – Part 2: In the second of our informative blogs for operators planning missions to this East Africa country, we discuss fuel, ground handling, customs and immigration, security, transport, and accommodation.
Fuel
What’s fuel availability like in Djibouti?
Jet A1 is available in Djibouti, but prior confirmation is always required. A fuel nomination is the standard mode of confirmation by most companies. Trucking of fuel to remote areas, (e.g. for helicopters) can be arranged.
What are the payment options?
Fuel companies accept credit facilities with prior arrangements.
Note:
A fire extinguisher truck must be available before fuelling can commence when passengers are on board.
Ground Handling
How do you go about arranging ground handling?
Djibouti Airport Authority is the only licensed ground handling company in Djibouti. Airlines must go through a local agent to coordinate handling services.
What equipment is available?
The Airport Authority is well equipped with GSE to handle all types of aircraft.
For advice on airport considerations and operational tips, visit our previous blog:
Renting vehicles is advisable. Please note that in Djibouti driving is on the right side of the road.
Are taxis widely available?
Yes, there are plenty of taxis, but most places in Djibouti city are within walking distance.
Are there security considerations off-airport?
Yes, there are security concerns, particularly in the countryside near the borders where security is low. Caution is always advised.
When are public services and amenities generally closed?
All government offices and most services (including shops) in some areas close down on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday is a normal working day. Many establishments close at 1400LT due to extreme temperatures. Some business premises reopen at 1700LT.
What is the availability of accommodation?
Djibouti has many quality hotels, but bookings must be made early to avoid disappointment.
What about hotel availability high season?
When there are international meetings especially at the IGAD Headquarters, it can be challenging to get hotel accommodation. It is advisable to book early.
Are there any other hotel considerations?
Credit cards are accepted at the larger big hotels, and ATMs are located within. However, credit cards are not widely accepted in Djibouti.
Customs and Immigration
Are visas required for Djibouti?
Yes, all visitors require a visa. While these can be issued on arrival, it is at the discretion of the Djibouti Immigration Authorities and can’t be guaranteed. Visitors are advised to arrange their visas before travelling.
Note:
Passports should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Djibouti.
Are vaccinations required?
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
What are the baggage clearance regulations?
As the only international entry point in the country, baggage is cleared at Ambouli International Airport (JIB) only except the baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside Djibouti, provided the onward flight is on the same calendar day.
Is there airport embarkation tax?
No airport tax is levied on passengers in Djibouti.
What is the local currency?
Djibouti Franc (DJF). Please be aware that it is not possible to get currency advances against a credit card. Therefore, visitors should make sure they have enough hard currency.
For support with your operations to Djibouti, contact UAS Operations
Visit theUAS Blog for more tips on business operations to African countries.
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Mitch Launius
Instructor Pilot for 30 West IP
Mitch is the CEO of 30 West IP where he is also an instructor providing pilot training on international procedures. With an illustrious career of over 34 years in the cockpit, Mitch has acquired over 13,000 hours of flight time flying worldwide, with over 9,000 hours of this in Challenger and Gulfstream aircraft. He is an experienced safety officer and was also an IS-BAO project manager for a fortune 500 flight department. He has presented on Safety and Operations topics at the NBAA International Operators Conference and the Canadian Business Aviation Association Convention and is currently on the NBAA International Operators Committee and serves as the North Atlantic Regional Lead. Mitch is also a member of an FAA working group on General Aviation International Authorizations and Tabletop Exercises (GIATE). He was recently selected to represent IBAC as a member of the ICAO Personal Training and Licensing Panel (PTLP) and was also recently named as a 2020 recipient of the NBAA Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award for his contribution to the business aviation community.
Henry ‘Duke’ LeDuc
Director Of Operations, Americas, UAS International Trip Support
Duke has been a dearly respected member of UAS Americas team and the UAS global family for more than five years. A safety-oriented, FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher, he oversees all of the operations of the elite UAS Operations Team. With twenty-five years of experience in aviation overall with more than fifteen years of experience in international flight planning and VVIP trip coordination, he is responsible for the development of the dispatch training program and involved in the strategic development of UAS Americas. With a myriad of rich aviation experience behind him, he has extensive experience in worldwide operations with both corporate and charter environments, including seven years as Operations/Dispatch Manager in an industry-leading, Fortune 500, IS-BAO Stage III Certified corporate flight department. Duke is frequently asked shares his knowledge at major industry events and is currently serving on the NBAA’s International Operators Conference (IOC) Planning Committee.
Dudley King
President and Founder, FlightBridge
Dudley is the Founder and President of FlightBridge, which he established in 2011 and has been focused on technology solutions for the private aviation industry since 2006. Since he graduated from Dartmouth in 1988, he has worked with an array of companies listed anywhere from VentureWire to the Fortune 100. A rare blend of executive, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dudley’s executive roles have included acting CIO positions for several companies and tech advisory services to CEOs trying to rebuild their technology organizations or looking for an external, professional point of view. Highly skilled at deeply understanding his customer’s business challenges and drawing from a long and varied experience in information technology services, Dudley excels at designing technology solutions to solve their problems.
Dr. Paulo Alves
Global Medical Director, Aviation Health, Medaire
Paulo has extensive experience in medical advisory in the aviation industry. As a cardiologist, he provides technical guidance and analysis for MedAire’s MedLink medical advisory service and is MedAire’s liaison with civil aviation regulators and industry associations. Paulo worked with Varig Brazilian Airlines for 23 years, 10 of which were spent as General Medical Manager. A member of the MedAire Medical Advisory Board, Paulo is also President of the Ibero-American Aerospace Medical Association, a member of the International Academy of Aerospace Medicine, a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), and a Fellow of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. Throughout his illustrious career, Paulo has held industry leadership roles including Chairperson of the AsMA’s Air Transport Medicine Committee, President of the Airlines Medical Directors Association, President of the Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine and was a member of the IATA Medical Advisory Group from 2002 to 2006.
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