Flight Operations to Dubai – World Aviation Safety Summit

Planning a trip to Dubai? WASS 2016 gets underway from April 25-26.

It’s predicted that air traffic will double over the next 15 years. This massive increase in demand will bring many challenges, particularly in the area of safety. New and innovative ways of enhancing and maintaining industry safety will be up for discussion at the World Aviation Safety Summit at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. Attracting international industry players and regulatory authorities, the two-day summit hosted by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority will facilitate the exploration of ideas to further develop the aviation safety internationally.

Here’s some key information for anyone traveling to the World Aviation Safety Summit this month.

Airports

OMDB – Dubai International Airport

• Dubai, ARE
• N 25° 15.2′ E 55° 21.9′
• Mag Var: 1.4°E
• Elevation: 62′
• Fuel: 100LL, Jet A-1
• Time Zone Info: GMT+4:00 no DST

Private and non-scheduled commercial flights

• UAE overflight permits are not required
• Landing rights are required

Fuel Service

• UAS offer supply via truck browser and hydrant fuel delivery
• JET A1 readily available
• Slot approval requested by an agent 24 hours in advance is preferable to attain desired slots

Parking

• Parking is subject to availability
• Peak hours on OMDB: AM hour from 0100z – 0700z & 1700z – 2200z (times can vary subject to availability)
• OMDB is currently operating at 97% capacity. The best opportunity for arrival and departure slots is between the hours of 1000Z – 1400Z daily.
• Overnight parking is possible but it quite difficult to obtain for medium and wide body aircraft non-scheduled operators.

OMDW – Al Maktoum International Airport

• Dubai, ARE
• N 24° 55.1′ E 55° 10.5′
• Mag Var: 1.4°E
• Elevation: 171′
• Fuel: Jet A-1
• Time Zone Info: GMT+4:00 no DST

Private flights and non-0scheduled commercial flights

• UAE overflight permits are not required
• Landing rights are required

Fuel Service

• UAS offer supply via truck browser and hydrant fuel delivery
• JET A1 readily available
• Slot approval requested by an agent 24 hours in advance is preferable to attain desired slots

Parking

• Parking is subject to availability, but approval is generally provided for all aircraft types
• Peak hours, AM hour from 0100z – 0700z & PM 1700z – 2000z (times can vary subject to availability)

Immigration

Every nationality will be checked on entry.

Please note: The General Civil Aviation of the UAE (GCAA) have introduced a mandatory Advance Passenger Information (API) requirement for all passengers and crew arriving to, and going from, the UAE.

Non-EU citizens

A passport and a visa before arrival are required.

Visa Issuance:

• Holders of normal passports and a copy of pre-arranged visa can obtain a visa on arrival, provided their passport is valid at least six months on arrival.
• Pre-arranged visas must be deposited by the sponsor to the Immigration Authority and can be issued for either 96 hours, 14 or 30 days.
• Deportation on the same flight will follow if the sponsor or a representative is not present at the time of passenger’s arrival at the airport.
• E-visas can be obtained via www.ednrd.ae – these visas are valid for entry at any international airport of the UAE.
• Airlines can check the validity of an e-visa at the same site by clicking on the “Query DNRD APP” button.

The following should be taken into account even if holding a visa:

• All visitors must hold documents to prove their next destination and have a sponsor in the UAE to cover their stay.
• Visitors who are not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

EU Citizens

A passport and visa are required.

Visa Issuance:

• Holders of normal or emergency passports issued to EU citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days, free of charge.
• E-visas can be obtained via www.ednrd.ae – these visas are valid for entry at any international airport of the UAE.
• Airlines can check the validity of an e-visa at the same site by clicking on the “Query DNRD APP” button.
• Visitors who are not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

Customs 

Free import:

• 400 cigarettes and cigars to a maximum value of AED 3,000 and 2 kilograms of tobacco (not applicable to snuffing or chewing tobacco)
• Perfumes or any other gifts provided for personal use, to a value of AED 3,000.
• Alcoholic beverages: Abu Dhabi and Fujairah- 4 liters of any alcohol for non-Muslim passengers; Dubai- 24 cans of beer or 4 liters of any other kind of alcohol; Sharjah- 2 liters of alcohol and one case of beer.

Prohibited import:

• Electronic cigarettes.
• All fresh foods such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, fish, seafood, meat and food stuffs from Japan with a validity period of less than two weeks.
• Foodstuffs, other than fresh foods, with a validity exceeding two weeks is permitted, when accompanied by a Radiation Clearance Certificate issued by the Japanese Health Authorities.

In Abu Dhabi and Fujairah:

• Fruits and vegetables from cholera infected areas and cultivated pearls.

In Dubai and Sharjah:

• Uncooked, edible seafood, fruits, and vegetables from cholera-infected areas.

Note: Import of live and dead birds (and derived products) is prohibited from all Asian countries, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Tunisia and other countries that may be affected by Avian Flu. For birds in transit, from all other countries, a transit permit is required.

Free export

• Proof of purchase is required for large amounts of cash, gold and jewelry.

Baggage Clearance

Baggage must be cleared at the first point of entry.

If you are transiting within 24 hours and not going through customs. In this case, baggage can be stored before customs clearance for up to 24 hours if you wish to leave the transit area, provided the baggage is interlined to the final destination.

At Dubai, airport baggage can also be stored by the handling agent (DNATA) for more than 24 hours. A fee of AED 10 per piece of baggage applies.

Dubai airport also provides a service to passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and holding separate tickets to a final destination. This service provides baggage transfer on the passenger’s behalf, so they do not need to clear passport/customs control. A fee of AED 300 per passenger applies.

Airport Embarkation Tax

• No airport tax is levied on passengers

Currency

• The local currency is United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Import of local or foreign currency is allowed, however if this sum exceeds AED 100,000 (or an equivalent amount) it must be declared on arrival. No restrictions apply for exportation.

Ground Transport

Dubai is well serviced by the Dubai Taxi Corporation.

See the fare calculator on www.dubaitaxi.ae

Accommodation

We recommend booking hotel accommodation in the Dubai Festival City area to save on commute time.

Hotels near the airport:  

• Intercontinental Dubai Festival City (Summit venue)
• Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
• Le Meridien Dubai
• Dubai Airport Hotel

If you need assistance on your next flight to Dubai, contact our Ops team dxb@uas.aero