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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 / ppv@iacc.avianet.cu / gppv@ppv.iacc.avianet.cu

Estimated Processing Time

Slow Overflight: 3 days Landing: 7 days

Requirements by Operation Type

Private flights require IACC permit and may need additional diplomatic clearance. US operators need OFAC license.

All non-scheduled flights require IACC permit, minimum 7 days. US-registered aircraft subject to additional OFAC restrictions.

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 -- pre-payment required before clearance; fees based on aircraft weight and distance
Remarks:

Required for all foreign civil aircraft utilizing airways or routes that traverse the Cuban FIR, even when not overflying Cuban landmass. No documents required for overflight-only permit. Navigation fees must be pre-paid and verified before clearance. Block permits may be available through 3rd-party providers. Short-notice processing (including weekends/holidays) sometimes possible via OFAC-licensed 3rd-party provider.

Application Process:

1. For non-US operators: submit overflight request to IACC at least 48h before via ppv@iacc.avianet.cu 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)
Remarks:

Landing clearance must be granted before aircraft departs for Cuba. Documents required: CoR, CoA, CoI, crew and passenger information, reason for flight, and receiving party in Cuba. IACC verifies purpose of visit. CRITICAL FOR N-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT: As of 2025, Part 91 GA N-registered aircraft are PROHIBITED from traveling to Cuba under BIS/OFAC rules -- Temporary Sojourn license applications subject to general policy of denial. Part 135 commercial operators may still operate under specific OFAC licenses.

Application Process:

1. Submit landing request to IACC at least 48h before departure: ppv@iacc.avianet.cu or gppv@ppv.iacc.avianet.cu 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 2025, N-registered Part 91 GA aircraft are effectively BANNED from Cuba (BIS Temporary Sojourn license subject to general policy of denial). Part 135 commercial operators may still operate with OFAC/BIS authorization. OFAC recordkeeping now 10 years. Non-US operators face fewer restrictions but must still obtain IACC permits and pre-pay all fees. Use OFAC-licensed 3rd-party provider for US-nexus operations.