Flying private to Bolivia: permits, paperwork and handling
Bolivia requires foreign private and business aircraft to obtain authorization from DGAC Bolivia before landing or overflying. This guide covers what you need, how far in advance to ask, and which airports accept international arrivals, using live data from the i-Handler airport directory, sourced from the country AIP.
Authority: DGAC Bolivia · Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Permits: who issues them and when to apply
Landing and overflight permits for foreign civil aircraft are handled by DGAC Bolivia. Requests are processed on business days; plan on at least 48 business hours before the flight.
Reference the approved permit in your ICAO flight plan (item 18) and file the plan only once the permit is confirmed. Private non-revenue and charter (revenue) flights follow different tracks; charter requires additional commercial documentation, so start earlier.
El Alto (SLLP) sits at roughly 13,300 ft: many aircraft cannot operate there at useful weights. Most operators clear in at Santa Cruz (SLVR).
Documents you will be asked for
Aircraft: certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, international insurance certificate with coverage valid for Bolivia, and noise certificate.
Crew: pilot licenses and current medical certificates.
Passengers: passports (6 months validity is the safe standard) and a General Declaration (GENDEC) for arrival.
The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, passenger manifests and the ICAO flight plan from your trip data, so the paperwork above is produced in minutes instead of retyped per flight.
Airports of entry
Santa Cruz Viru Viru (SLVR) is the practical sea-level-performance gateway; La Paz El Alto (SLLP) is one of the highest international airports in the world.
Plan your first landing at an airport of entry. Other fields may show customs in the AIP data, but use them as onward stops after clearing in, unless the authority authorizes otherwise. The live table below marks entry, customs, mandatory handling, slots and fuel per airport.
Bolivia airports at a glance (live from the i-Handler directory)
| Airport | Entry | Customs | Handling | Slots | Fuel | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLALAlcantari International | No | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLBJBermejo | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLCBCochabamba/Jorge Wilsterman Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| SLCHChimore | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLCOCobija/Cap. Anibal Arab Fadul (Heroes del Acre) | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLETSanta Cruz/El Trompillo | No | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| SLGMGuayaramerin/Cap de Av Emilio Beltran | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLJESan Jose de Chiquitos | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLLPLa Paz/El Alto International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 6 |
| SLOROruro/Juan Mendoza | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLPOPotosi/Capt Nicolas Rojas | No | No | No | No | JET ONLY | 0 |
| SLPSPuerto Suarez/Capt Salvador Ogaya International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLRIRiberalta Cap. Av. Selin Zeitun Lopez | No | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLRQRurrenabaque | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLSASanta Ana Del Yacuma | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLSUSucre/Juana Azurduy De Padilla | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLTJTarija/Capt Oriel Lea Plaza | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SLTRTrinidad/Tte Av Jorge Henrich Arauz | Yes | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| SLUYUyuni/La Joya Andina | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLVMVillamontes/TCNL Rafael Pabon | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| SLVRSanta Cruz de la Sierra/Viru Viru International | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET ONLY | 5 |
| SLYAYacuiba | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET ONLY | 0 |
Live data from the i-Handler directory; each ICAO links to the airport page with contacts, frequencies and live METAR/TAF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landing permit for a private flight to Bolivia?
Yes. Foreign private and business aircraft need authorization from DGAC Bolivia. Requests are processed on business days; plan on at least 48 business hours before the flight. The permit goes in item 18 of your ICAO flight plan.
Which airports in Bolivia accept international arrivals?
Santa Cruz Viru Viru (SLVR) is the practical sea-level-performance gateway; La Paz El Alto (SLLP) is one of the highest international airports in the world. The table on this page shows entry, customs and handling status per airport, live from the i-Handler directory.
How do I find a handler or FBO in Bolivia?
The i-Handler airport directory lists ground handlers and FBOs per airport with phone numbers, and pilots contact them by chat through the free i-Handler App.
What paperwork does a flight to Bolivia require?
Aircraft certificates, insurance, crew licenses, passports and a General Declaration. The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan automatically from your trip.
Do the paperwork once, not per flight
The free i-Handler App organizes the trip, generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan, and connects you by chat with the handlers and FBOs listed at your destination. Create your pilot account at i-handler.app.
Create your free pilot accountLast reviewed 2026-09-27 against operational sources. Requirements change: always confirm current rules with DGAC Bolivia or your handler before the flight. This page is operational guidance, not legal advice.