2015 International Operators Conference (IOC)

The IOC is a vital event for anyone involved in business aircraft planning and operating internationally. Taking place March 23 -26 in San Antonio, Texas, here’s some important information for any conference attendees visiting from outside the US.

U.S. Immigration

• Passport required
• Visitors must hold return/onward tickets

Any visitors who have visited Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone within the last 21 days must enter at Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) and will be subject to screening and medical checks upon arrival

• A visa is required
• All visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay
• All visitors must produce any documents required for their next destination

Crew

The same regulations apply for crew as regular passengers

Visa regulations for Airline Crews:

• A visa is also valid for entry of air crew arriving in the USA on a flight operated by their own company
• Such crew must be listed as “crew” on the arrival manifest
• If air crew arrive on a flight of another carrier for the purpose of boarding a flight as a member of crew, they must have a valid C-1 visa
• On arrival a Form I-95 must be filled out

U.S. Customs Rules

Note: making false statements to U.S. Customs Officers is punishable by law.

Information regarding regulations for the movement of fish, animals and foodstuffs, periods of quarantine, etc. should be obtained from the following:

US Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Washington, D.C. 20240

US Embassies or Consulates overseas

US Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Center for Import and Export, 4700 River Road, Unit 39; Riverdale, MD 20737

Please see http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

Baggage Clearance

All baggage, regardless of its final destination, is cleared at the first point of entry

This also applies to baggage making an international transfer

Airport Embarkation Tax

No airport tax is levied on passengers

Airports

KSAT – San Antonio International

• 7 NM N of San Antonio TX, USA
• N 29° 32.0′ W 98° 28.1′ Mag Var: 6.4°E
• Elevation: 809′
• Fuel: 100LL, Jet A
• Time Zone Info: Central Time GMT-6:00 uses DST

KSAT – San Antonio International

• 7 NM N of San Antonio TX, USA
• N 29° 32.0′ W 98° 28.1′ Mag Var: 6.4°E
• Elevation: 809′
• Fuel: 100LL, Jet A
• Time Zone Info: Central Time GMT-5:00

Private Flights

An agent will be required to help you with this request

If planning a series internal stops TSA Waiver authorization is required

Landing rights must be cleared through US Customs

There are no special restrictions on parking

Fuel Service

UAS offer supply via truck/browser fuel delivery. JET A1 readily available.

Note:

Significant NOTAM

KSAT 01/009 (A0010/15) – AD AIRPORT CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN 171FT OR GREATER No wide body aircraft allowed 06 JAN 13:20 2015 UNTIL 01 JAN 12:00 2016 ESTIMATED

Location

The City of San Antonio has a population of almost 1.5 million.

It is a popular destination so it’s very well set up to cater for tourists

The conference takes place at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, US

Accommodation

Here are some of the hotels San Antonio has to offer:

• Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
• HomeGate Studios & Suites San Antonio Fiesta Park
• Holiday Inn San Antonio Nw – Seaworld Area
• Doubletree Hotel San Antonio Downtown
• Hilton Palacio Del Rio
• Red Roof Plus San Antonio Downtown – Riverwalk

Transport

VIA Metropolitan Transit

A bus and rubber tired streetcar (bus) system is provided by the city’s metropolitan transit authority, VIA Metropolitan Transit

VIA offers 89 regular bus routes and two Downtown streetcar routes

See www.viainfo.net

Rail

Amtrak, the US’ national passenger rail service, provides services at San Antonio Station

Car Rental

Enterprise Rent-A-Car are the official; car rental partners of the conference organizers, the NBAA. See www.enterprise.com for more information

Taxis

Expect to pay about 40 for a ten km journey- and don’t forget to check whether the tip is included or not (15%)

Shuttle Bus

Shuttle transportation between San Antonio International Airport and downtown (about 12 kilometers) is provided by SATRANS, San Antonio’s official airport shuttle

The shuttle runs from 7AM and 1AM every daily. Making reservation s is advised – see www.saairportshuttle.com