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#356 01/11/13 08:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 506
Rick Offline OP
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Venezuela has been getting tough about collecting on airspace fees from aircraft that flew through their airspace. We assisted a number of aircraft owners last year with payment of airspace fees they did not even know existed. If you fly through their airspace, they will charge you for the distance flown. However, many times this invoice will never get to you and thus many pilots have no idea of the fact that they incurred a fee until.....

What Venezuela has been doing to force the issue is to deny aircraft with unpaid bills entry into their airspace. When you look at the dimensions of their FIR, you will see how this could present a problem for some routes as well as some potential safety of flight issues.

When planning and executng a flight in the Caribbean, you should avoid Venezuela airspace if at all possible. If you are flying down the Caribbean into Brazil, consider staying over the Windward Islands down to Trinidad. From Trinidad you shouuld fly to Guyana but remaining outside of Venezuelan airspace. You should bear in mind that Guyana requires prior landing permission.

The airspace over the Windward Islands is known as the Piarco Flight Information Region (FIR) and is controlled by an agency in Trinidad. You are also subject to airspace fees while flying in the Piarco FIR. However, dealing with Piarco is a lot easier (and less expensive) than dealing with Venezuela. If you are even considering landing in Venezuela, you should think that decision through VERY thoroughly and if you still want go, then plan well in advance as getting the landing permit usualy takes about a month.


Rick Gardner
Caribbean Sky Tours
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 506
Rick Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 506
Some members have asked how expensive is Venezuelan airspace. Well for a small aircraft, like a C525, it comes out to around US$ 1.00 per nautical mile flown. This makes it amongst the most expensive chunks of airspace around. Therefore, pick you routes carefully.

The good news is that Venezuela has softened its stance on the arrival of non-Venezuelan aircraft and you can now make short trips (less than 72 hours) and technical stops with less hassle than before. However, you should still consider the need to go there as you will still need local handling and if an extended stay is required for any reason (mechanical) then things can get really difficult in a hurry.


Rick Gardner
Caribbean Sky Tours

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