Flying private to the Eastern Caribbean: permits, paperwork and handling
the Eastern Caribbean requires foreign private and business aircraft to obtain authorization from ECCAA (OECS states) and Barbados CAD 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: ECCAA (OECS states) and Barbados CAD · Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Permits: who issues them and when to apply
Landing and overflight permits for foreign civil aircraft are handled by ECCAA (OECS states) and Barbados CAD. Most OECS islands under ECCAA are permissive for private non-revenue flights, with clearance handled on arrival at the airport of entry; Barbados runs its own civil aviation department. Confirm per island 48 business hours ahead.
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.
Each island is its own customs territory: clearing in at one does not cover the next. eAPIS-style advance passenger data is increasingly required per island.
Documents you will be asked for
Aircraft: certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, international insurance certificate with coverage valid for the Eastern Caribbean, 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
Gateways include Antigua (TAPA), Barbados (TBPB), St Lucia Hewanorra (TLPL) and Vigie (TLPC), Grenada (TGPY), St Kitts (TKPK), St Vincent Argyle (TVSA) and Dominica (TDPD).
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.
the Eastern Caribbean airports at a glance (live from the i-Handler directory)
| Airport | Entry | Customs | Handling | Slots | Fuel | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAPAV C Bird International/St. John's | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| TBPBBridgetown Grantley Adams International | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| TDCFRoseau/Canefield | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET | 1 |
| TDPDRoseau/Melville Hall/Douglas Charles | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET ONLY | 3 |
| TGPYSt Georges/(Point Salines) Maurice Bishop Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| TKPKBasseterre/Robert L Bradshaw Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET ONLY | 6 |
| TKPNNevis Isl/Vance W Amory Intl | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| TLPCCastries/George F.L. Charles (St Lucia) | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| TLPLSt Lucia/Vieux Fort/Hewanorra International | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET | 3 |
| TQPFWallblake/Clayton J Lloyd International | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| TVSAArgyle International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 7 |
| TVSBBequia Isl/J F Mitchell | Yes | Yes | No | No | NO FUEL | 2 |
| TVSCCanouan Jet Port | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | JET | 3 |
| TVSMMustique | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| TVSVKingstown/E T Joshua | No | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 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 the Eastern Caribbean?
Yes. Foreign private and business aircraft need authorization from ECCAA (OECS states) and Barbados CAD. Most OECS islands under ECCAA are permissive for private non-revenue flights, with clearance handled on arrival at the airport of entry; Barbados runs its own civil aviation department. Confirm per island 48 business hours ahead. The permit goes in item 18 of your ICAO flight plan.
Which airports in the Eastern Caribbean accept international arrivals?
Gateways include Antigua (TAPA), Barbados (TBPB), St Lucia Hewanorra (TLPL) and Vigie (TLPC), Grenada (TGPY), St Kitts (TKPK), St Vincent Argyle (TVSA) and Dominica (TDPD). 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 the Eastern Caribbean?
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 the Eastern Caribbean 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 ECCAA (OECS states) and Barbados CAD or your handler before the flight. This page is operational guidance, not legal advice.