Services
Flight Permits in Africa
AAES arranges flight permits across Africa for airlines, cargo, charter and private jet operators. We prepare the documentation, check the lead time, submit to the authority and follow the request through to approval. Our ops desk is at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and is staffed 24 hours a day.
Permits are rarely refused because the flight was unsuitable. They are refused because a document was missing, a detail did not match, or the request arrived too late. We check those things before submission.
Ops desk: sales@aaes.aero | +254 725 284 509
Overflight Permits
An overflight permit lets you cross a country’s airspace without landing. A route across Africa can pass through several FIRs, and each authority has its own lead time, document set and validity window.
We handle each country on the route, not just the first one. If the plan moves, we file the amendment and keep the approvals aligned with the new schedule.
Landing Permits
A landing permit is what you need to touch down. It is a separate approval from an overflight permit and it usually asks for more: aircraft and operator documents, purpose of flight, passenger or cargo detail, and an airport that can take you.
We align the permit with the slot, the parking stand and the handling arrangement, so the approval and the ground plan match.
Ad Hoc Permits
An ad hoc permit covers a one off, non scheduled movement. Technical stops for fuel, crew changes, maintenance positioning and unplanned diversions all fall here.
These are usually the requests with the least notice. We run the document check, submit, and amend the ETA in real time if the timing moves.
Block Permits
If you fly the same route repeatedly, a block permit can cover a series of movements over a set period instead of one application per flight.
Not every authority offers them, and the conditions differ. Tell us how often you plan to operate and we will say whether a block permit is available on that route and worth applying for.
Charter Flight Permits
Non scheduled commercial flights usually need a charter flight permit. Authorities look closely at the commercial nature of the flight, so the paperwork has to be consistent across every document.
We check the set before it goes in. That is what cuts the back and forth and the repeat submissions.
Permits in Kenya
Kenya is our base. Our office is at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, and we deal with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority as a matter of routine.
We coordinate permits for operations at:
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi (NBO / HKJK). Operator guide.
- Wilson Airport, Nairobi (WIL / HKNW). Operator guide.
- Moi International Airport, Mombasa (MBA / HKMO). Operator guide.
- Eldoret International Airport (EDL / HKEL). Operator guide.
For a step by step view of the Kenyan process, see our operator checklist for flight permits in Kenya.
Beyond Kenya we coordinate permits across the continent. Requirements vary a great deal between countries. Send us the routing and we will tell you the lead time for each leg, including the legs where it is tight.
What to send us
To open a permit request we need:
- Aircraft type, registration and MTOW
- Operator name and AOC details
- Full routing with entry and exit points
- Dates and times, in UTC
- Purpose of the flight
- Passenger or cargo details
- Airworthiness, insurance and noise certificates
Send it to sales@aaes.aero or call +254 725 284 509.
Common questions
What is the difference between an overflight permit and a landing permit?
An overflight permit lets you cross a country’s airspace without landing. A landing permit lets you land there. They are separate approvals with separate requirements, and a route can need both, from different countries.
How long does a flight permit take in Africa?
It depends on the country, the type of permit and the type of flight. Some authorities work to a few working days, others need longer, and some will consider short notice requests. Tell us the route and we will give you the lead time per country rather than a single figure.
What documents are needed for a flight permit?
Typically the certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, insurance certificate, noise certificate, the operator’s AOC, and crew licences. Some authorities ask for more depending on the flight type.
Why do flight permits get rejected?
Most often because something was missing or inconsistent. A document out of validity, a registration that does not match, a routing that does not align with the times, or a request submitted inside the authority’s lead time.
Can AAES arrange a permit at short notice?
Often, yes. The desk runs 24 hours a day. What we will not do is submit a request we can see will be refused. If the lead time cannot be met we will say so and look at the alternatives with you.
Do I need a permit for a technical stop?
Usually yes. A technical stop for fuel or a crew change still involves landing in that country, so it normally needs a landing permit or an ad hoc permit.
Can permits be arranged with fuel and handling together?
Yes. Most operators send one request covering permits, fuel and ground handling, coordinated by the same desk.
For route-specific planning, consult the AAES Africa airport guides, including permit and lead-time considerations for Kigali, Entebbe, Kilimanjaro and Johannesburg.
Special Flight Permits
Some flights need a special flight permit on top of the usual overflight or landing clearance. It depends on the mission, the routing, or the status of the aircraft.
Survey and photography flights, demonstration flights, humanitarian missions, medevac movements, calibration flights and ferry positioning all fall into this group. Each one is handled on its own terms, with the documentation checked before submission and 24 hour follow up until approval lands.
Need 24/7 flight support in Kenya or across Africa?
AAES supports permits, flight planning, dispatch, Jet A-1 fuel coordination, ground handling, cargo support and concierge services.
Email: sales@aaes.aero
Phone: +254 725 284 509
Flight permits in Africa: common questions
What is the difference between an overflight permit and a landing permit?
An overflight permit lets an aircraft cross a country without landing. A landing permit lets it land. A flight that crosses several countries and then lands needs both.
Which permit types does AAES arrange?
Overflight permits, landing permits, ad hoc permits, block permits, charter flight permits and special flight permits.
How long does a flight permit take to obtain?
Lead times vary by country, aircraft, operator and type of operation. Send the desk your route and dates and it will confirm what each authority requires.
What causes flight permit delays in Africa?
Missing or inconsistent documents, late submission, routing changes after filing, and slot or schedule mismatches are the common causes.
When is a block permit better than an ad hoc permit?
A block permit suits repeat operations on a known route over a set period. An ad hoc permit suits a single movement or a one-off charter.
How do I request a permit from AAES?
Email sales@aaes.aero or call +254 725 284 509.