Flying private to Dominican Republic: permits, paperwork and handling
Dominican Republic requires foreign private and business aircraft to obtain authorization from IDAC (Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil) 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: IDAC (Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil) · Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Permits: who issues them and when to apply
Landing and overflight permits for foreign civil aircraft are handled by IDAC (Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil). 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.
Punta Cana (MDPC) and La Romana (MDLR) are the busiest business aviation gateways; handling is well developed at both.
Documents you will be asked for
Aircraft: certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, international insurance certificate with coverage valid for Dominican Republic, 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
The country has a wide network of airports of entry: Las Americas Santo Domingo (MDSD), Punta Cana (MDPC), Cibao Santiago (MDST), Puerto Plata (MDPP), La Romana (MDLR), Samana El Catey (MDCY) and others.
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.
Dominican Republic airports at a glance (live from the i-Handler directory)
| Airport | Entry | Customs | Handling | Slots | Fuel | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDABSamana/Arroyo Barril International | Yes | Yes | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| MDBHBarahona Maria Montez International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| MDCRCabo Rojo | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| MDCYEl Catey Presidente Juan Bosch | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| MDCZConstanza | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| MDJBLa Isabela Dr Joaquin Balaguer International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| MDLRCasa de Campo La Romana Intl | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| MDPCHiguey Punta Cana | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | AVGAS JET | 5 |
| MDPPPuerto Plata Gregorio Luperon International | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| MDSDLas Americas International JFPG | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| MDSISan Isidro AB | No | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| MDSTSantiago Cibao International | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | AVGAS JET | 4 |
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 Dominican Republic?
Yes. Foreign private and business aircraft need authorization from IDAC (Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil). 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 Dominican Republic accept international arrivals?
The country has a wide network of airports of entry: Las Americas Santo Domingo (MDSD), Punta Cana (MDPC), Cibao Santiago (MDST), Puerto Plata (MDPP), La Romana (MDLR), Samana El Catey (MDCY) and others. 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 Dominican Republic?
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 Dominican Republic 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 IDAC (Instituto Dominicano de Aviacion Civil) or your handler before the flight. This page is operational guidance, not legal advice.