International Operations: NATA 2012 Air Charter Summit Larry Williams Senior Trip Owner Charter Management Blue Team Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.
Agenda Session Objective Discuss current hot topics for Part 135 International Operations: Common operational issues Airport Restrictions Major events Fuel considerations Security Europe Weather considerations Charter permits Mexico Navigation Fees Venezuela Navigation fees Italian Luxury Tax UK Air Passenger Duty Tax Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) Airspace (RVSM, Airway Slots) Questions
Operational Considerations Issues to consider: Airport restrictions Parking Major events Fuel Security Weather
Airport Restrictions Curfews Notams Runway PPR/Slots Required?
Airport Restrictions Parking
Noise Restrictions Many airports in Europe have very strict noise limitations Majority of restrictions affect non-stage III aircraft Individual countries and airports have the authority to impose further noise reduction measures regardless of aircraft MTOW and capacity
Major Events Olympics London 2012 Davos Economic Forum European Grand Prix Season Film Festivals EBACE European / World Cup Soccer UN Summit
Fuel Considerations Fuel Excellent quality / availability Fuel stops United Kingdom Ireland Iceland Mineral oil taxes are very high (may or may not apply to the operator) Germany Switzerland Italy Spain
Security Why security is important Crew or passenger mugged or robbed: Loss of passport, etc. Loss of trip itinerary Previous Examples Local Reporting Requirement Reporting a crime (kidnapping, mugging, etc.) Misconceptions I ve been there 100 times I m not a target It won t happen to me I can handle whatever happens when it happens
Europe Planning Considerations Weather Volcanic eruptions Fog Snow
Challenging Permits Venezuela United Kingdom Germany France Italy China India Australia
Mexican Navigation Fees Is this a new Mexican law? No. Although the requirement to pay these fees has been Mexican Federal Law since 2002, the government previously did not have the infrastructure in place to enforce payment. The law always existed but was never enforced What happens if I owe fees for navigation fees? SENEAM (Mexico Air Navigation Services) has periodically published a No Fly list of operators owing navigation fees for overflying Mexican airspace. Aircraft with outstanding balances could potentially be denied entry into Mexican airspace.
Venezuela Navigation Fees Not allowing aircraft to enter airspace for outstanding balances Must contact INAC directly in order to resolve quickly Always check with Venezuela first if there is a possibility that the aircraft may enter their airspace
Italian Luxury Tax Originally implemented in December 2011 Legislation revised on May 2nd, 2012 Does not apply aircraft dedicated to scheduled, non-scheduled commercial flights Pax tax amounts to euro 100 per passenger for flights (legs) of less than 1500 km and euro 200 per passenger for flights in excess of 1500 km. The legislation wording is very broad and it is not still clear whether it will be charged only (as reasonable) on departure flights from Italy (domestically or Internationally)
UK Air Passenger Duty Tax Currently applies to Commercial Airlines Applies to aircraft weighing over 10 tonnes & or has more than 20 seats Expected to be applied to Private jets starting in 2013 Consultation is under way as to how the tax will be applied
Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) EU-ETS has annual operational thresholds which are used to designate operators as Small or Large Emitters. Vast majority of GA operators are Small Emitters. Program designed to include corporate/private aviation, which is seen as inefficient in terms of fuel burn/payload ratio. Note: Even the smallest of emitters must comply with EU-ETS requirements if they have made one or more applicable flights during a Monitoring Year.
Applicable Flights - ETS Countries / Territories What are the applicable Countries? EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway EU Outlying Territories: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, The Azores, Madeira, The Canary Islands, Aland Islands, Akrotiri and Dhekelia Important Note: Switzerland does not participate. Flights through EU airspace without a stop are not applicable.
RVSM Implemented Jan. 24, 2002 Affected flight levels FL290 to FL 410 inclusive No exemptions available for civil aircraft RVSM requirements All aircraft must be RVSM approved No separate LOA (Letter of Authorization) or approval is required for EUR RVSM
Are you RVSM equipped and certified? It is not possible to obtain an exemption from the RVSM approval requirement. Non-approved flights intending to cross the EUR RVSM area will be required to flight plan below or above RVSM airspace. Climbing and descending through EUR RVSM airspace without being RVSM approved is not possible.
ICAO Table of Cruising Levels FL 410 FL 390 RVSM Transition FL 400 360 FL 380 FL 410 FL 390 FL 370 FL 360 FL 370 FL 350 FL 340 FL 350 FL 330 FL 330 FL 310 FL 320 FL 300 FL 310 FL 290 FL 290
Airway Slots Issued by EuroControl Central Flow Management Unit (CFMU) Located in Brussels Flight plans can be filed 24 hours in advance Slots are issued 2 hours prior to assigned ETD Valid for 15 minutes 5 minutes prior assigned slot time 10 minutes after assigned slot time
Schengen Agreement Customs, Immigration, Quarantine (CIQ) inspections completed at first port of entry No CIQ required for travel between the following 27 countries: Austria Belgium Estonia Germany Luxembourg Hungary Netherlands Portugal Latvia Denmark Spain Lithuania Finland Greece Malta Iceland Sweden Poland Italy France Slovakia Norway Czech Republic Slovenia *Iceland & Switzerland (Non EU) have signed a co-operation agreement
Overview How can you keep on top of emerging issues and provide top-notch service? What are the resources you need to have in place for successful operations?
Questions?