Sri Lanka Overflight Permits Regulations 2024

Do you need a permit for srilanka overflight?

Sri Lanka, as a nation, upholds its unique set of rules, regulations, and procedures when it comes to granting permits for aircraft intending to land or access its airspace. Whether you're overseeing a private flight, participating in general aviation, managing a charter or scheduled flight, or engaged in passenger or cargo transport, adherence to mandatory Prior Permission is imperative. The application process requires the thorough submission of comprehensive flight details and aircraft documents.

In alignment with the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority's Aeronautical Information Publication (Sri Lanka AIP) and the designated air traffic routes in Sri Lanka, any aircraft owner or operator planning to fly in Sri Lankai airspace must apply for Sri Lanka overflight clearance through the Air Transport Department at least 48 working hours before the scheduled flight departure. It's essential to include AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network) in your flight plan, and for Sri Lanka, only an overfly permit is necessary.

These terms would help you find more specific information regarding the rules and requirements for obtaining overflight permits in Sri Lanka.

Required Details for Obtaining Sri Lanka Overflight Permit Application

1 - Flight Schedule
2 - Entry / Exit Points with ATC Route
3 - Lead Passenger Details
4 - Consignee & Consigner Details for Cargo Flights
5 - Aircraft Documents [ AOC, COA, COI, CON, COR]

Permit Validity

- Sri Lanka Overflight Permit is valid for +48 hours.

For those intending to execute a passenger flight landing or technical stop, the Sri Lanka Airports Authority has specific regulations overseeing the issuance of Sri Lanka Overflight Permits, often involving associated charges. These charges typically cover Route Navigation Facility Charges for overflight, as well as landing and parking fees for aircraft making stops.

Being a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Sri Lanka requires strict compliance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) general rules for international air traffic. This encompasses adherence to regulations concerning the transport of troops, equipment, materials, and dangerous goods. For more comprehensive information, please reach out to us.

Aviation Regulations SriLanka

Aviation regulations in Sri Lanka are established to ensure the safety, security, and efficient operation of the aviation sector. These regulations are primarily overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), which operates under the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Key Components of Sri Lanka's Aviation Regulations:

The Civil Aviation Act, No. 14 of 2010, is the primary legal framework for civil aviation in Sri Lanka. It outlines the principles, rules, and guidelines for the management and operation of civil aviation activities in the country.

The CAASL issues various Civil Aviation Regulations that provide detailed rules on airworthiness, safety standards, air traffic control, airport operations, and licensing. These regulations are regularly updated to align with international standards.

The CAASL issues directives and circulars to ensure compliance with both national and international aviation standards. These cover a wide range of operational, safety, and security matters.

Sri Lanka is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and complies with its standards and recommended practices. The country also participates in various bilateral and multilateral air service agreements that regulate international air transport.

Important Areas of Regulation:

Regulations ensure that aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness meet ICAO standards. This includes mandatory inspections, certifications, and the implementation of safety management systems to maintain high safety standards.

Pilots, air traffic controllers, maintenance personnel, and other aviation professionals must obtain appropriate licenses and certifications from the CAASL. Airlines and aircraft must also be registered and certified.

Airports in Sri Lanka are subject to regulations concerning infrastructure standards, operational procedures, security measures, and environmental impact. The CAASL oversees airport certification and management.

Air traffic control (ATC) services are provided in accordance with international standards to ensure safe and efficient airspace management. Regulations cover the training of ATC personnel, operational procedures, and equipment standards.

Regulations protect passengers' rights, including provisions for compensation in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and baggage issues. There are also rules governing transparency in ticket pricing and terms of service.

Sri Lanka's aviation sector has seen continuous improvements and updates to its regulatory framework to address new challenges and opportunities. Recent developments include:

Infrastructure Development: Expansion and modernization of airports, such as Bandaranaike International Airport, to accommodate increasing passenger and cargo traffic.

Technological Advancements: Integration of advanced technologies in air traffic management and airport operations to enhance efficiency and safety.

Environmental Initiatives: Implementation of sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of aviation, including promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and green airport initiatives.

Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL): The primary regulatory body overseeing all aspects of civil aviation.

Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation: Provides overall direction and policy-making for the transportation sector, including aviation.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL): Manages and operates major international airports in Sri Lanka, ensuring compliance with CAASL regulations.

Understanding and adhering to these regulations is essential for any entity involved in Sri Lanka's aviation sector, whether domestic or international. For detailed and specific regulatory requirements, consulting the CAASL and reviewing the latest legal documents and guidelines issued by Sri Lankan authorities is advisable.

Overflight Permits Category’s for Adhoc and Private

1 - Overflight Permits (Charter Passenger Flights)
2 - Overflight Permits (Private Passenger Flights)
3 - Overflight Permits (Non-Schedule Cargo Flights)

Overflight Permits Category’s for Block :

1 - Monthly Block Overflight Permits (For Scheduled and Non-schedule Airlines Flights)
2 - Seasonal Block Overflight Permits (Scheduled Commercial Airlines Flights)

Overflight Permit Charge's

We do not charge any type of hidden cost in Civil Aviation Permit Processing Cost and Sri Lanka Overflight Permits Procedures. Our fee is straight and direct without any additional fees in Sri Lanka Overflight Permit We do not require large upfront deposits or commitments. We strive to develop long term relationships and we work hard to earn your referrals. Besides receiving essential financial monthly reports these very particular customers expect to entirely rely on professional teams and they offer just that. This trust is earned through our administrative and financial control, as well as our services standards of work.

Flight Information Region In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Airspace is divided into 01 Flight Information Regions (FIRs)

1 - Colombo (VCCF) FIR

Sri Lanka FIRs ( Entry / Exit Points ) :

International Trip Support Services

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We provide comprehensive and personalized flight planning and International Trip Planning services to the corporate aviation industry. Our dedicated and experienced staff work together to ensure you have a smooth trip that is tailored to your particular needs. with years of international flight planning experience, the latest trip coordination technology, and a dedication to high-quality customer service, each member of our knowledgeable team is equipped with the tools to exceed your expectations.

Our proficient flight support team offering unrivalled support services to any International & Domestic Airports in Sri Lanka along with their expertise, our permit2fly team can arrange Sri Lanka Overflight Permits for Ad-hoc Charter Flights, Scheduled Airline Seasonal Block Permits from Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka according to their legal time frame.

Trust Permit2fly, to handle all your ground supervisory at Sri Lanka airports and obtain Sri Lanka overflight and Landing permit for any of your aircrafts to operate in the territory of Sri Lanka.

About Sri Lanka | History - Geography

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Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island country lying in the Indian Ocean and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait. It is located between latitudes 5°55′ and 9°51′ N and longitudes 79°41′ and 81°53′ E and has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 miles (224 km).

Proximity to the Indian subcontinent has facilitated close cultural interaction between Sri Lanka and India from ancient times. At a crossroads of maritime routes traversing the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has also been exposed to cultural influences from other Asian civilizations. Ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane. Arabs referred to it as Serendib. Later European mapmakers called it Ceylon, a name still used occasionally for trade purposes. It officially became Sri Lanka in 1972.

The Given Below Information Is Extracted from the Myanmar AIP

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Procedures For Submission a Flight Plan

A flight plan shall be submitted in accordance with ICAO Annex 2, para 3.3.1 prior to operate:

a) Any IFR flight

b) Any VFR flight

• Departing from, destined for or transiting to an aerodrome within a control zone.

• Across the FIR boundary, i.e international flights.

The format of the FPL shall be as per the Amendment 1 to ICAO Doc 4444 15th edition.

Time Of Submission

Except for repetitive flight plans a flight plan shall be submitted 120 Hours (Five days) at the earliest but not later than 60 minutes prior to the estimated time of departure, taking in to account the requirements for timely information to ATS units within the airspace along the proposed route to be flown.

Domestic Civil Helicopters, Float Planes and other fixed wing flight operations are permitted to file Flight Plans with a minimum of thirty minutes in advance notice prior to the intended take off time.

Place Of Submission

1- Flight plans shall be submitted to the Air Traffic Services Reporting Office (ARO) at the departure aerodrome.

2- Flight plans for the international flights shall be submitted to the AIS Flight Briefing Centre ( ARO) at the respective aerodrome.

2- Flight plans for the international flights shall be submitted to the AIS Flight Briefing Centre ( ARO) at the respective aerodrome.

VFR Flight Plan For Alerting Service Only

Alerting service is provided in principle to flights for which a flight plan has been submitted.

Adherence to ATS Route Structure

No flight plans shall be filed for routes deviating from the published ATS route structure unless prior permission has been obtained from the appropriate ATC authorities.

Flight Plan Requirements

All Non-scheduled / Private flight operations into and across Sri Lanka territory shall specify the Sri Lanka DGCA authority (Quote Flight Clearance Number - FCN or Re-Clearance Number) on the field 18 of the filed flight plan. (Also, ref para 3 of sub section GEN 1.2)

Operation of Repetitive Flight Plan (RPL)

The procedure concerning the use of Repetitive Flight Plans (RPL) confirm to ICAO) DOC 7030 and the PANS-RAC.

RPL lists relating to flights in and to flights over flying the Colombo FIR shall be submitted at least two (02) weeks in advance, in duplicate to the following address:

The Head of Air Navigation Services
Navigational Services Complex.
Bandaranaike International Airport Colombo
Katunayake
Sri Lanka

Incidental Changes and Cancellation of RPL

Incidental changes and cancellation of RPL relating to departures from KATUNAYAKE / Bandaranaike Intl. Airport Colombo shall be notified to AIS Briefing Unit (ARO) at the respective departure aerodrome as early as possible but not later than 30 minutes before the ETD given in the RPL Listing.

Delay

When a specific flight is likely to encounter a delay of 30 minutes or more than the estimated departure time in the RPL, the ATS unit serving the departure aerodrome shall be notified immediately. Delays relating to departures shall be notified to the AIS Flight Briefing unit (ARO) at the respective aerodrome.

Note: Failure to comply with this procedure may result in the automatic cancellation of the RPL for that specific flight at one or more ATS units concerned.

ATS Messages

For a flight operated on an RPL, no flight plan message (FPL) will be transmitted. Departure messages (DEP) or delay messages (DLA) or change message on incidental changes relating to such flights will be transmitted to ATS units concerned.

Changes to The Submitted Flight Plan

All changes to flight plan submitted for an IFR flight or a controlled VFR flight and significant changes to a flight plan submitted for an uncontrolled VFR flight shall be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate ATS unit. In the event of a delay in departure of 30 minutes or more for a flight for which a flight plan has been submitted, the flight plan shall be amended or a new flight plan shall be submitted after the old plan has been cancelled.

Note 1: If a delay in departure of a controlled flight is not properly reported, the relevant flight plan data may no longer be readily available to the appropriate ATS unit when a clearance is ultimately required which will consequently result in extra delay for the flight.

Note 2: If a delay in departure (or cancellation) of an uncontrolled VFR flight is not properly reported, alerting or search and rescue action may be unnecessarily initiated when the flight fails to arrive at the destination aerodrome within 30 minutes after its current ETA.

Whenever a flight, for which a flight plan has been submitted, is cancelled, the appropriate ATS unit shall be informed immediately.

Changes to a current flight plan for a controlled flight shall be reported or requested, subject to the provisions in ICAO Annex 2 para 3.6.2. (Adherence to Flight Plan) Significant changes to a flight plan for an uncontrolled flight include changes in endurance or in the total number of persons on board and changes in time estimates of 30 minutes or more.

Arrival Report (Closing A Flight Plan)

A report of arrival shall be made at the earliest possible moment after landing to the airport office of the arrival aerodrome by any flight for which a flight plan has been submitted except when the arrival has been acknowledged by the local ATS unit. After landing at an aerodrome which is not the destination aerodrome as planned (diversionary landing).

The local ATS unit shall be specifically informed accordingly. In the absence of a local ATS unit at the aerodrome of diversionary landing, the pilot-in-command is responsible for passing the arrival report to the destination aerodrome.

Arrival reports shall contain the following elements of information.

• Aircraft Identification

• Departure Aerodrome

• Destination Aerodrome

• Time Of Arrival

Addressing of Flight Plan Messages

Flight moment messages relating to traffic into or via the Colombo FIR shall be addressed as stated below in order to facilitate correct relay and delivery.

Category Of Flight (IFR, VFR or both)	Route - Into Or Via FIR and/or TMA	Message Address
1	2	3
All Flights (IFR/VFR)	Into or via Colombo FIR	VCCCZQZX
All Flights (IFR/VFR)	Into KATUNAYAKE / BandaranaikeIntl. Airport Colombo	VCCCZQZX VCBIZTZX VCBIZPZX
All Flights (IFR/VFR)	Into MATTALA/Mattala Rajapaksa Intl. Airport	VCCCZQZX VCRIZTZX VCRIZPZX
All Flights (IFR/VFR)	Into RATMALANA / Colombo Airport	VCCCZQZX VCCCZTZX VCCCZPZX

Note: Flight moment messages in this context comprise flight plan messages, amendment messages relating thereto and flight plan cancellation messages (ICAO DOC 4444 PANS ATM, Chapter 11 refers)

An aircraft which is being subjected to unlawful interference shall endeavor to notify the appropriate ATS unit of this fact, any significant circumstances associated therewith and any deviation from the current flight plan necessitated by the circumstances, in order to enable the ATS unit to give priority to the aircraft and to minimize conflict with other aircraft.

In any case, ATS units will endeavor to recognize any indication of such unlawful interference and will attend promptly to requests by the aircraft. Information pertinent to the safe conduct of the flight will continue to be transmitted and necessary action will be taken to expedite the conduct of all phases of the flight.

Procedure intended for use by aircraft when unlawful interference occurs and the aircraft is unable to notify an ATS unit of this EACT.

If an aircraft is subject to unlawful interference, the pilot-in-command shall attempt to land as soon as practicable at the nearest suitable aerodrome or at a dedicated aerodrome assigned by the DGCA unless considerations aboard the aircraft dictate otherwise.

If the pilot-in-command cannot proceed to an aerodrome in accordance with the paragraph 2.1 above, he/she should attempt to continue flying on the assigned track and at the assigned cruising level at least until able to notify an ATS unit is possible or the aircraft is within radar or ADS -B coverage.

If the pilot-in-command cannot proceed to an aerodrome in accordance with the When an aircraft subjected to an act of unlawful interference must depart from its assigned track or its assigned cruising level without being able to make radio-telephony contact with ATS, the pilot-in-command should, whenever possible.

a). Attempt to broadcast warnings on the VHF channel in use or the VHF emergency frequency and other appropriate frequencies, unless considerations aboard the aircraft dictate otherwise. Other equipment such as on-board transponders, data links etc. should also be used when it is advantageous to do so and circumstances permit. The transponders shall be set to code 7500.

b). Proceed at a level which differ from the cruising levels normally used for IFR flight in the area by 500ft.