Ecuador Aviation Permits
See a next to a field? Click it to confirm the info is still correct. Recently verified Outdated — please verify
Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: DGAC (Direccion General de Aviacion Civil)
- Website: https://www.aviacioncivil.gob.ec
- Contact: +593 2 223 1008 (DGAC, under Ministry of Transport)
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Private flights require DGAC notification.
Non-scheduled flights need DGAC permit, 3 business days lead time.
Bilateral agreements via DGAC Ecuador.
Overflight Permit
- Required: Conditional
- Authority: DGAC Ecuador
- Lead Time: 48 working hours
- Validity: +/- 72 hours
- Fees: Navigation charges
Technical stops under 48 hours generally do not require a formal overflight permit -- advance notification to DGAC is mandatory and verbal permission is granted. DGAC processes permits Mon-Fri only.
1. Submit overflight notification to DGAC Ecuador at least 48 working hours before 2. Provide: aircraft registration, insurance, flight plan 3. For technical stops <48 hours: advance notification sufficient; verbal permission granted 4. DGAC processes Mon-Fri only 5. Permit valid +/- 72 hours from requested schedule
Landing Permit
- Required: Conditional
- Authority: DGAC Ecuador
- Lead Time: 48 hours (single airport, <48h stay); 8-12 business days (multi-airport or extended stay)
- Validity: +/- 72 hours
- Fees: Standard landing/parking fees
No landing permit needed for single-airport operations staying under 48 hours (notification only). Multi-airport operations or stays >48 hours require a formal landing permit with 8-12 business day processing. Galapagos operations require additional authorization from the Galapagos Special Regime Council per DGAC Resolution DGAC-2025-0001-R. No aviation fuel available in Galapagos -- tanker fuel or uplift on mainland.
1. For single-airport, <48 hour stays: notification to DGAC sufficient (no formal permit) 2. For multi-airport or extended stays: submit formal landing permit request 8-12 business days before 3. Provide: aircraft documentation, insurance, crew info 4. Permits processed Mon-Fri only; valid +/- 72 hours 5. For Galapagos (SEGS/SEGY): obtain additional authorization from Galapagos Special Regime Council (per DGAC Resolution DGAC-2025-0001-R, Jan 2, 2025) 6. Galapagos: NO aviation fuel available -- must tanker or uplift on mainland 7. Engage local handler for Galapagos operations
Cabotage
No (strictly enforced -- private non-revenue and charter aircraft may NOT pick up passengers within Ecuador)
General Remarks
Galapagos operations require additional environmental authorization from the Galapagos Special Regime Council (DGAC-2025-0001-R). No aviation fuel in Galapagos. Strict cabotage -- no passenger pickup. Multi-airport permits take 8-12 business days vs. 48 hours for single-airport.