Who Needs a Landing Permit for Bali?

Indonesia’s aviation regulations require a landing permit (also called a flight approval or overflight/landing clearance) for all international non-scheduled flights entering Indonesian airspace or landing at Indonesian airports. This includes private jet flights (owner-operated or charter), non-scheduled charter operations (commercial passenger or cargo charter), ferry flights and positioning flights, technical stops (fuel or crew change without passenger disembarkation), and medevac and air ambulance flights.

Scheduled commercial airline flights do not require individual landing permits — they operate under bilateral air service agreements and route approvals granted through a separate regulatory process. The landing permit requirement applies specifically to non-scheduled operations, which constitute the majority of private jet and charter activity at DPS Airport.

The landing permit is issued by DGCA (Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara), the aviation regulatory authority under Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation. DGCA’s Flight Permit Division evaluates each application based on the documentation submitted, the purpose of the flight, and compliance with Indonesian aviation regulations.

Landing Permit Requirements: Complete Document Checklist

A landing permit application for DPS Airport requires the following documentation:

Aircraft Documentation: Certificate of Registration (C of R), Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A), Aircraft Insurance Certificate (showing third-party liability coverage valid for Indonesian operations), Aircraft Noise Certificate, and radio station license.

Crew Documentation: Crew license copies for all flight crew members, crew medical certificates (valid), crew passport copies with validity exceeding six months beyond the planned operation, and crew Indonesian visa status (certain nationalities require pre-arranged visas).

Flight Information: Flight itinerary (including all Indonesian stops), passenger manifest with nationality details, purpose of flight declaration, and planned fuel uplift requirements.

Operational Documents: Ground handling arrangement letter from a DGCA-licensed ground handler at each Indonesian airport on the itinerary — this is a mandatory document without which the permit application cannot proceed. The ground handling letter confirms that a licensed operator will provide ramp services, parking, fueling coordination, and all other required ground support.

Additional Documents (if applicable): Dangerous goods declaration (if carrying hazardous materials), special cargo documentation (live animals, firearms, valuables), diplomatic clearance request (for government/military aircraft), and photography permit (if the flight involves aerial photography).

How to Get a Landing Permit for Bali: Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Engage a Ground Handler: Before anything else, you need a contracted ground handler at DPS who can provide the mandatory ground handling arrangement letter. This letter is a required attachment in the permit application — DGCA will not process applications without it. Bali Ground Handling provides this letter as part of our private jet handling package.

Step 2 — Document Collection: Compile all required documentation listed above. Our permit team provides a detailed checklist and reviews all documents for completeness before submission, preventing delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documentation.

Step 3 — Application Submission: We submit the completed application to DGCA’s Flight Permit Division on your behalf as a registered permit agent. The application includes all supporting documents, the handling arrangement letter, and any supplementary declarations.

Step 4 — DGCA Review & Processing: DGCA reviews the application, verifies documentation, and coordinates with relevant authorities (immigration, customs, airport operator) as needed. Standard processing takes 5-7 working days. We maintain direct communication with the DGCA permit desk to track progress and address any queries.

Step 5 — Permit Issuance: Upon approval, DGCA issues the landing permit specifying the authorized dates, airports, routing, and any conditions. We deliver the approved permit to you and the flight crew, and coordinate the operational setup at DPS for your arrival.

Step 6 — Operational Coordination: With the permit in hand, we activate the full ground handling arrangement — parking allocation, customs pre-clearance, GSE positioning, and all services contracted for your operation.

Processing Time & Expedited Service

Standard landing permit processing through DGCA takes 5-7 working days from complete application submission. This timeline assumes all documentation is complete and correct on first submission — incomplete applications may require resubmission and additional processing time.

For urgent operations, expedited processing can be requested. DGCA may process urgent applications within 3-5 working days, though this depends on their current workload and the completeness of the application. We strongly recommend allowing the full standard processing window whenever possible.

For repeat operations to DPS (operators who fly to Bali regularly), we maintain documentation on file to streamline subsequent permit applications — reducing document preparation time and enabling faster processing for returning operators.

Overflight Permits for Indonesian Airspace

Aircraft transiting Indonesian airspace without landing also require an overflight permit from DGCA. Indonesia controls a vast airspace — the Jakarta FIR (Flight Information Region) covers the entire Indonesian archipelago and significant oceanic airspace. Flights routing between Australia and Southeast/East Asia, between India and the Pacific, or between any origins that transit the Jakarta FIR require overflight clearance.

Our overflight permit service follows the same process as landing permits but requires fewer documents (no ground handling arrangement needed for pure overflights). Processing time is typically 3-5 working days.

Permit Extensions & Schedule Changes

If your planned dates change after the permit is issued, DGCA can process permit extensions or amendments. Common scenarios include departure delays due to weather or maintenance, extended stays beyond the original permit window, additional stops at other Indonesian airports, and changes to passenger manifest or crew composition. We manage all amendment requests through our direct relationship with DGCA, ensuring your operation remains authorized throughout any schedule changes.

Why the Ground Handler Is Key to Your Landing Permit

The ground handling arrangement letter is unique among landing permit requirements — it is not a document the operator can produce themselves. It must come from a DGCA-licensed ground handling company at the destination airport. This makes the ground handler not just an operational service provider but a regulatory gatekeeper for your Bali operation.

Choosing a ground handler with permit processing expertise — like Bali Ground Handling — provides a significant advantage. We understand exactly what DGCA requires, maintain current knowledge of regulatory changes, and have established relationships with the permit processing team that enable us to navigate the approval process efficiently. Our combined permit-plus-handling service means you work with a single provider from the first permit application through the complete on-ground operation.