International operations can differ widely from domestic operations, particularly if a mission involves an operator’s first time flying outside the U.S. “If they’ve never done it before they may not know the sheer scale of differences that they’ll be facing,” said Craig Hanlon, chair of the NBAA International Operators Committee. Hanlon offers tips for first-time international operators including: using an international service provider and handling agent and taking formal international procedures training. Also, he said, the NBAA International Feedback Database can be a valuable source of information.
Brazilian authorities have changed the visa requirements for commercial and business aircraft crewmembers and passengers, and all U.S., Canadian and Australian nationals now need a visa to enter the country, unless they meet certain exemption requirements.
If business is taking you to Rome in the next week, business aircraft operators should be aware of an expected higher-than-normal number of aircraft due to the Saturday, April 26 funeral of Pope Francis.
The challenges of safely navigating around conflict zones seem to be increasing every day for international operators looking to conduct business in disrupted or unstable parts of the world, particularly in places such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East.