Business Aviation Operations to Ethiopia– Part 1: A must-read for any operators planning a mission to Ethiopia. UAS’ advice on airport considerations, overflight and landing permits, and best operational tips to ensure your mission is a success.
Airport Considerations
What is Ethiopia’s major point of entry?
Ababa Bole International Airport (HAAB) is a modern new facility with the capability of receiving all types of aircraft. It is not slot controlled and has enough apron room for long-term parking which can be arranged by providing ample notice to the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise. UAS Supervisors have 24 Hour ramp and lounge access, making it smooth and easy to provide fast, efficient services to customers. HAAB provides full passenger facilities such as banking, exchange, post, shopping, and dining.
What other airports are there?
HAAB is at a high elevation of 7,657ft and can accommodate all types of aircraft. The airport operates 24 hours a day. Other relatively large domestic airports in Ethiopia are located at Dire Dawa, Lalibela, Gondar, and Bahir Dar. (Most of the airports are located relatively close to town centers). These, however, operate only between 0300 and 1700Z but can be functional at any time with prior arrangements with respective Airport Authorities. Related costs are covered by the operator including overtime pay for the different airport staff.
What is the situation with aircraft parking?
There is parking space for at least 60 large aircraft and 20 smaller aircraft at HAAB. The parking space can, however, fill up when there are conferences and conventions, especially those attended by heads of states.
Are there other parking considerations?
Extra parking at HAAB is available at the Ethiopian Airlines Hangar. Aircraft requiring parking and any of the smaller airports require special authority in advance of landing unless there is a case of technical emergency.
What are the peak hours of commercial activity?
Peak hours at HAAB are between 0300 to 0800Z and 1600 to 2200Z.
Must aircraft be staged for departure?
Yes, all aircraft must be staged for departure.
Note: Early planning and notice will help to avoid any possible bottlenecks and expedite arrival and departure processes. Special attention should also be paid to provide information in advance when arranging fuel and ground handling.
What is the availability of FBOs, VIP lounges, and GA terminals?
While there are well organized and equipped VIP lounges available, no FBO or GA terminal exist at HAAB.
What about security arrangements for aircraft and crew?
The airport is very secure, however, extra security can be arranged.
Is ramp access available?
Ramp access is available only with a special airport pass.
What about airport fees?
There is no credit facility so operators either pay cash or ask their agent to pay on their behalf with their prior arrangement with the Airport Authorities.
What is the average time it takes to clear through the airport?
About 30 minutes for passengers and fast track is available for crew.
Operational Information
What is the lead time required for permit approval?
Overflight permits can be granted right away (in less than 10 minutes) upon request if all the information is provided
Landing permit processes for HAAB and other airports is different and depends on the type and the purpose of the request. The landing permit process may involve other government bodies and authorities. The process may take 3 to 5 business days if all the information is provided
The landing permit process may take longer for small aircraft and helicopters that can land anywhere
All VIP flights (both landing and overflight) permits are processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
What documentation is required for the permit approval process?
o GENDEC for the crew
o Passenger manifest plus passports for all
o A description of any cargo being transported
o Receiving party details and contact person with supporting letter explaining the purpose of the flight for the landing permit process
What about airport slots?
Airports in Ethiopia are not slot controlled.
Note on charter and cabotage: Ethiopia exercises strict control within its borders in order to contain security concerns from neighboring countries especially Eritrea and Somalia. Hence, while charter and cabotage licenses can be granted, applicants must undergo a rigorous exercise to prove the value and intent.
Visit the UAS Blog for more tips on business operations to African countries. Later this week Business Aviation Operations to Ethiopia – Part 2 will cover Ground Handling, Customs, nd Immigration, Security, Accommodation, and Transport.
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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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