Spain Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea) / DGAC (Direccion General de Aviacion Civil)
- Website: https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es
- Contact: AESA general: +34 91 396 8200 | Cross-border ops: spo-crossborder.aesa@seguridadaerea.es | Business permits: https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/en/_ambitos/permisos-comerciales | Address: Paseo de la Castellana 112, 28046 Madrid
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Private flights generally exempt from permits.
Non-EU non-scheduled flights need AESA permit, 5 business days.
EU Single Market rules. AESA handles foreign carrier permits.
Overflight Permit
- Required: No
- Authority: AESA / ENAIRE (ANSP)
- Lead Time: N/A
- Validity: N/A
- Fees: Eurocontrol en-route charges via ENAIRE. Spain unit rate per Eurocontrol schedule.
No overflight permit required for any operation type (EU or non-EU). File ICAO flight plan. Eurocontrol charges apply automatically.
1. File ICAO flight plan via Eurocontrol IFPS 2. No overflight permit application needed 3. Eurocontrol en-route charges via ENAIRE billed automatically 4. No EASA TCO needed for overflight-only
Landing Permit
- Required: Conditional
- Authority: AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea)
- Lead Time: 4 business days minimum (first-time charter). Subsequent applications may be faster. AESA operates Mon-Fri, 0900-2100 local time — closed weekends/holidays.
- Validity: Per IATA season (summer/winter). Classification depends on number of operations per season.
- Fees: No published AESA permit processing fee. Airport-specific AENA landing, parking, and handling fees. Eurocontrol terminal charges at coordinated airports.
Private non-revenue flights: NO landing permit required. EU-registered commercial carriers: no permit under EU Reg 1008/2008. Non-EU charter operators: landing permit REQUIRED even for tech stops. Must have approved landing permit BEFORE filing flight plan — non-compliance may result in fines. Requirements differ by frequency: <=3 ops per IATA season vs >=4 ops per IATA season (additional accreditation needed). EASA TCO authorization required for non-EU commercial operators.
1. EU CARRIERS: no permit needed under EU Reg 1008/2008 2. PRIVATE NON-REVENUE: no permit needed 3. NON-EU CHARTER/COMMERCIAL: a) AESA requires electronic registration for administrative procedures at https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es b) FOR <=3 OPERATIONS PER IATA SEASON: - Submit AESA application form and required documents - Insurance certificate with EU liability coverage (bodily injury, baggage/cargo, 3rd party) - AOC, Certificate of Registration, Airworthiness, Noise Certificate - EASA TCO authorization - Allow minimum 4 business days for first-time charter c) FOR >=4 OPERATIONS PER IATA SEASON: - All documents from (b) above PLUS: - Security plan to deal with acts of unlawful interference - Letter of approval/acceptance of security plan from home aeronautical authority - Accreditation of your representative (ground handler) in Spain - Full accreditation by AESA required d) Must obtain approved permit BEFORE filing flight plan — fines possible for non-compliance 4. SLOTS: coordinated Level 3 airports include Madrid Barajas (LEMD), Barcelona (LEBL), Palma (LEPA), Malaga (LEMG), Gran Canaria (GCLP) 5. SEASONAL SLOT PRESSURE: Ibiza (LEIB), Menorca (LEMH), Palma (LEPA) extremely difficult in summer 6. AESA hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2100 LT, closed weekends/holidays
Cabotage
No — EU carriers only within EU under Reg 1008/2008. Non-EU operators prohibited from domestic Spanish commercial flights. Spain has been strict in enforcement.
General Remarks
Two-tier permit system based on frequency (<=3 vs >=4 ops per IATA season). Summer slots at Mediterranean islands (Ibiza, Palma, Menorca) are extremely scarce for business aviation. Non-EU operators must have permit before filing flight plan. EASA TCO mandatory for commercial ops. AESA has extended operating hours (until 2100 LT) compared to most European CAAs.