Cuba Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: IACC (Instituto de Aeronautica Civil de Cuba)
- Website: http://www.iacc.gov.cu
- Contact: +53 7 838 1126 / +53 7 266 4123 / [email protected] / [email protected]
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
N-registered Part 91 GA aircraft effectively banned since June 2019. Non-US private flights require IACC permit, 48h minimum lead time. OFAC license required for any US-connected operations.
All non-scheduled flights require IACC permit, minimum 7 days lead time recommended. US-registered aircraft subject to OFAC restrictions and BIS licensing requirements. Charter operators need valid OFAC license.
Limited scheduled service. Bilateral agreements with select countries only.
Overflight Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: IACC
- Lead Time: 48 hours (short notice possible via 3rd-party provider, at IACC discretion)
- Validity: Per schedule (block permits available through 3rd-party providers)
- Fees: Navigation fees paid to ECNA (separate agency from IACC), pre-payment required in Euros before clearance is granted. Fee based on aircraft weight and distance flown in Cuban FIR.
Required for all foreign civil aircraft utilizing airways or routes that traverse the Cuban FIR, even when not overflying Cuban landmass. US-registered operators must use an OFAC-licensed third-party provider to arrange permits and fee payments. Overflight permits issued by IACC, but nav fees assessed and collected by ECNA (different agency).
1. For non-US operators: submit overflight request to IACC at least 48h before via [email protected] or +53 7 838 1126 2. No documents required for overflight-only permit 3. Pre-pay navigation fees (payment verification required before clearance granted) 4. Block permits may be available through experienced 3rd-party providers 5. CRITICAL FOR US OPERATORS: use an OFAC-licensed 3rd-party permit provider 6. For N-registered aircraft: confirm BIS/OFAC compliance before any Cuban FIR operation 7. Short-notice/weekend processing sometimes possible via 3rd-party provider
Landing Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: IACC
- Lead Time: 48 hours
- Validity: Per schedule
- Fees: Landing + handling fees (pre-payment required)
Landing clearance must be granted before aircraft departs for Cuba. Documents required: CoR, CoA, CoI, crew and passenger manifest. Since June 2019, N-registered Part 91 GA aircraft are effectively banned from traveling to Cuba (BIS Temporary Sojourn license required, issued only in extraordinary circumstances). Charter operators with OFAC licenses may still operate.
1. Submit landing request to IACC at least 48h before departure: [email protected] or [email protected] 2. Provide: Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, Certificate of Insurance, crew info, passenger list, purpose of flight, receiving party in Cuba 3. IACC will verify purpose of visit before issuing clearance 4. Pre-pay landing and handling fees 5. Landing clearance must be issued BEFORE aircraft departs for Cuba 6. CRITICAL FOR N-REGISTERED PART 91 AIRCRAFT: as of 2025, Part 91 GA flights are PROHIBITED (BIS Temporary Sojourn license subject to general policy of denial) 7. Part 135 commercial operators: obtain specific OFAC license + BIS authorization 8. OFAC recordkeeping requirement: 10 years (increased from 5 years as of March 25, 2025) 9. Aircraft/crew may remain up to 7 days under authorized OFAC license
Cabotage
No
General Remarks
Highly regulated. As of 2019, N-registered Part 91 GA aircraft are effectively BANNED from Cuba (BIS Temporary Sojourn license required, granted only in extraordinary circumstances). Charter (Part 135) with OFAC license may still operate. US operators MUST use OFAC-licensed third-party provider for permits and fee payments. Non-US operators face fewer restrictions but still need IACC permit for all operations. Havana Jose Marti (MUHA) is the primary airport. Varadero (MUVR) also receives bizav.