Coronavirus Private Jet Charter Updates
evoJets is committed to its clients and colleagues during this unprecedented period in private aviation. Our team is working around the clock, fielding nonstop inquiries and arranging as many flights as possible during the crisis.
The information on this page may be updated to reflect changing market conditions, and is our current view of the situation as we continue to arrange air charter services and collect information.
Last updated: August 5th, 2020
Coronavirus Public Health Advisories
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The latest travel advisory made by the WHO was released in a joint statement alongside The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The CDC created a country-specific tool with travel recommendations. For domestic flights, the CDC maintains an advisory for travel within the United States. Additionally, the CDC maintains a series of specific recommendations for international travelers returning to the US.
COVID-19 Private Jet Safety Information
The industry has responded to COVID-19 with the following safety protocols:
- Cabin cleaning – All operators are performing mandatory deep disinfecting of aircraft between passenger legs.
- Crew/passenger distancing – Limited or no interaction between passengers and crew.
- Passenger temperature testing – Crew may require temperature of passengers before boarding is permitted.
- Crew/ops distancing – Limited or no interaction between crew and airport personnel.
- Vehicle ramp access – Plane-side drops for passengers, airport permitting.
- Reduced FBO access – Passengers allowed into FBO for essential services only, in some cases.
Our team and partners in aviation are working tirelessly to continue service. Safety and regulatory compliance are our top priorities.
How Coronavirus Impacts the Jet Charter Booking Process
Please note the following as you consider booking a private flight:
- Expect changes in aircraft during and after booking – Tail numbers and aircraft models are subject to change, as schedules are in flux.
- Flexibility increases chances of securing an aircraft – Flight times, travel dates, and airports within your departure/arrival region.
- Be decisive when booking – With charter flights selling constantly and owner schedules changing, delays in paperwork and payment will only decrease your odds of securing an aircraft.
Coronavirus and Private Jet Charter: Booking an International Flight
Please note the following as you consider booking an international private flight:
- Delayed permit approval – Permits have taken up to 48hrs in cases where 4-12hr was the norm.
- Customs at small airports – Some smaller airports have transferred Customs agents to larger hubs; plan on being flexible
- COVID-19 cancellation terms – Many owners are adding clauses to cancellation policies for full or partial refunds for government travel restrictions, airport closures, etc; this is case by case
International guidance is changing consistently, and we will update this section as we learn more.
IATA International COVID-19 Travel Updates
The IATA maintains a COVID-19 air travel advisory page listing known updates by country. This is a valuable resource in researching requirements, restrictions, and general updates for international travel.
Countries with Level 4 Coronavirus Travel Advisories
The US State Department maintains a travel advisory list for US citizens to consider when traveling abroad.
The following countries have been placed into Level 4: Do Not Travel since the COVID-19 pandemic:
- China, February 2nd, 2019
- Iran, February 26th, 2019
- Mongolia, March 18th, 2020
- Haiti, March 5th, 2020
- Indonesia, March 26th, 2020
We will continue to monitor and update the travel advisory list.
COVID-19 Related Closures, Restrictions, and Notices
Below is a list of updates and advisories for some of our major service areas, organized by region/country:
Americas and Caribbean
Bahamas COVID-9 Restrictions, Protocols & Updates:
- https://www.opm.gov.bs/ & https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening
- Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 travel hotline +1-242-502-0829, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm EST
All Islands Of The Bahamas With the exception of Grand Bahamas are open to private international charter flights. All Permitted Persons (Bahamian Residents, Home Owners & Visitors) Must Present Negative RT-PCR COVID-19 Test from an accredited lab and Complete an Electronic Health Visa and receive approval to be Granted Entry.
Until Further Notice – THE BELOW GUIDELINES REPLACE ALL PREVIOUS PROTOCOLS:
- RT-PCR COVID- 19 Molecular Swab Test with Negative Result (Required until further Notice) from an accredited lab
- Test must be taken within a window of up to 10 days before travel to The Bahamas.
- Test results (Negative) must be uploaded to online travel health form and presented upon arrival.
- Anyone presenting a test over ten (10) days upon arrival, will not be allowed entry into The Bahamas.
- Select Individuals will be exempt from testing-
- Children under the age of ten (10).
- Private pilots who do not deplane.
Bahamas Electronic Health Visa
- All Travelers must complete a Travel Health Visa application online at https://travel.gov.bs/
- Forms must be filled out prior to travel. Visa applications take up to 72 hours to process and should be completed with adequate lead time.
- User will receive an automated response. An approved Health Visa will received a green code. Proof of confirmation must be presented upon arrival at destination.
- Failure to comply with the test requirements and health form submission will result in denied entry.
- Quarantine Required 14 days for all persons arriving and overnighting.
- Private residences and private yachts are considered approved quarantine facilities.
Bahamas Air Travel Protocols
- Wear a face mask – Entering and transiting terminals.
- All persons entering the country may be subject to Thermal Temperature Screening. (Passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be transferred to an on-site quarantine area for further evaluation).
- All persons entering the country will continue to be monitored by the Ministry of Health.
- Follow physical distancing directions.
Inter-Island Travel To Family Islands with the exception of Grand Bahamas
- Effective Tuesday, July 28, 2020 @ 1900L/2300UTC – Inter-island travel will be discontinued until further notice.
- All Travelers returning to the family island from Nassau or any of the island with Covid19 cased are required to quarantine for 14 days. (For more information visit https://www.opm.gov.bs ).
- All travelers traveling within the Bahamas are required to complete an electronic Health Visa prior to departure https://travel.gov.bs/domestic or at the time of check-in.
- Any airline or sea vessel operator who permits a passenger to board without wearing a face mask and without an approved Health Visa will face a fine of $500 per passenger not in compliance.
Canada
March 18, 2020 Travel Advisory
Current restrictions are to “Avoid non-essential travel“. Further tightening of restrictions is expected. Canadians returning home will be permitted but must self isolate for 14 days.
Cayman Islands
COVID-19 CAYMAN ISLANDS IMPLEMENTED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Please be advised that in response to COVID-19, the CI Government has implemented Travel Restrictions and Closure of Airports. However, repatriation flights, i.e,. charters etc are being allowed to return foreign residents to their respective countries. The process for arranging such is as follows:
- The request for the repatriation flights/air ambulances, which should include passenger information, along with the technical aviation details of the air operator to provide the service should be directed to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, the central coordinating organisation. The CAACI will re-direct any special request or situations to the appropriate agency for approval and revert to the applicant with a decision and information.
- The aircraft operator should apply to the CAACI for the requisite operating permit or verification if they are in possession of an existing CAACI authorisation. The application package can be found here and by using email address: civil.aviation@caacayman.com.
Mexico
Recommending to crew and passengers to wear facemasks when arriving and to wash hands very often at this time. Mexico is requiring the completion of a new Traveler Questionnaire that must be completed and sent to the ground handler in advance of the flights arrival.
Puerto Rico
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved certain requirements for passenger flights to Puerto Rico to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions are effective at 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
All scheduled and unscheduled commercial air carrier flights, whether foreign or domestic, will be required to land at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) where public health officials will screen arriving passengers. This includes air carriers that operate under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
All domestic and foreign general aviation and charter flights arriving from a location outside Puerto Rico will be required to land first at SJU, Isla Grande Airport (SIG) or Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla for passenger screening before continuing to their final destinations.
The restrictions do not apply to air cargo or maintenance flights into Puerto Rico.
St. Maarten
THE GOVT OF ST MAARTEN IS PROHIBITING TRANSPORT OF ALL PASSENGERS TO TNCM.
EXEMPTED ARE CARGO FLTS, FLT FOR THE REPATRIATION OF NTL BACK TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES, ESSENTIAL FLIGHTS FROM SABA AND SINT EUSTATIUS, THE TRANSPORT OF MEDICAL STAFF IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH WITH CLR OF GOVERNMENT OF SINT MAARTEN, CHARTER FLIGHTS APPROVED BY ST MAARTEN AVIATION AUTHORITY, DUTY AIRLINE CREW, STATE ACFT WITH DIPLOMATIC CLR TECHNICAL/FUEL STOPS WO PAX DISEMBARKATION, MEDICAL EMERG FLT WITH CLR OF GOVERMENT OF SINT MAARTEN,SITUATIONS RELATED TO WX OR ACFT SAFETY, NO RESTRICTIONS FOR OVERFLIGHTS. THE EXEMPTION MUST BE INDICATED IN THE FLT PLN IN ITEM 18. FOR FLT PLANNING PURPOSES TNCM AP WILL NOT BE ACPT AS AN ALTN AD FOR PAX ACFT.
Turks & Caicos
Providenciales International Airport/MBPV open to technical refueling stops
Although our borders are currently closed until April 14th, please note that Provo Air Center (MBPV) is still open to fuel stops and special flights, such as repatriation.
Europe and Africa
France
Detailed travel information is available at: https://reopen.europa.eu
BUSINESS FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Passengers arriving from the following countries allowed entry with no travel restrictions:
- EU Member States
- Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Vatican, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay,
Passengers arriving from any other Third Country are allowed entry for essential travel purposes only:
- French nationals, accompanied by their spouse and children.
- EU nationals and citizens of Andorra, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Holy See having a primary residence in France or transiting through France to reach home, accompanied by their spouse and children.
- Third Country nationals with a primary residence in France, accompanied by their spouse and children.
- Third Country nationals in transit of less than 24 hours returning to their home country.
- Staff of diplomatic missions or international organizations with offices in France, accompanied by their spouse and children.
- Healthcare workers.
- Flight and cargo crews, or crew travelling as a passenger to their departure base.
- Foreign nationals ensuring the carriage of goods.
- Foreign seamen ensuring the carriage of goods or working on fishing vessels.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
Crew and passengers arriving from USA, Bahrain, UAE, Panama: Travelers must present a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours. Test MUST be performed BEFORE THE FLIGHT.
Crew and passengers arriving from South Africa, Israel, Qatar, Brazil, Oman, Algeria, Turkey, Madagascar, India, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia: Travelers must present a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours. Travelers arriving in France with no valid PCR test result will be systematically tested upon arrival.
No mandatory quarantine. A person may be subject to quarantine measures in case of symptoms; or may be encouraged to a voluntary 14-day quarantine depending on the travel history.
Greece
BUSINESS FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
All commercial and GA/BA flights to/from United Kingdom, Sweden and Turkey are suspended.
- Exempted are:
- Repatriation of Greek citizens and holders of residence permit in Greece.
- State flights
- Sanitary flights
- Humanitarian flights
- Emergency flights
- Cargo flights
- Fire fighting flights
- Frontex flights
- Technical landings with no passenger disembark
- Ferry flights
- Flights to/from United Kingdom and Sweden supporting the Hellenic healthcare system
All non-EU/Schengen citizens are prohibited entry.
- Exempted are:
- Citizens of Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay.
- Family members of EU citizens
- Passengers traveling for essential reasons (health issues, imperative family reasons)
- Healthcare professionals and researchers
- Third Country citizens that are long-term residents or long-term visa holders of a EU/Schengen country
- Passengers in transit
- Aircraft crew
- Non-EU/Schengen citizens travelling for imperative family or business reasons; Prior authorization from the Hellenic consulate is required
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
Visitors from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay will be subject to random tests upon arrival. Positive test result will require a mandatory 14-day quarantine under supervision.
India
COVID-19 FLTS BY PRIVATE AIRCRAFT OPERATORS & HOLDERS OF NON-SCHED OPR PERMIT MUST CEASE 24 MAR 2020
THE OPERATION OF ALL SCHEDULED DOMESTIC FLIGHTS (EXCEPT ALL-CARGO FLIGHTS) BY ANY AIRCRAFT OPERATOR HOLDING AN AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY DGCA-INDIA CEASES WITH EFFECT FROM 1829 UTC ON 24 MAR 2020.
Ireland
The Irish Department of Health and the Health Service executive has the following important message:
Everybody flying into Ireland from overseas should self-quarantine for 14 days.
If during this period you develop symptoms and/or cough contact a doctor by phone and explain your recent travel history and symptoms so they can help to arrange for testing for COVID-19.
Check out the website www.hse.ie for further information.
SERBIA
Latest Country Restrictions through August 15, 2020
BUSINESS FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
- All previous restrictions are lifted.
RESTRICTIONS FOR TECHNICAL REFUELING/CREW REST
- Technical refueling is allowed
- Crew rest is allowed
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
- No quarantine, no PCR rest required.
DATE THE RESTRICTION IS CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO END OR BE RE-EVALUATED
- August 15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Actual information on Serbia’s COVID-19 status is given at https://covid19.rs
Switzerland
COVID-19 LSGG FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS MAX OF 48 HR OR 2 NGT STOP GND TIME ALLOWED EXC FOR HOMEBASED OPR DUE TO PRKG CONGESTION FOR BUSINESS AVIATION. PPR RESERVATIONS FOR ARR AND DEP MANDATORY.
United Arab Emirates
Effective 24th March 2020 23:59 local time to 07th April 2020 23:59 local time, aircraft operating a schedule or non-scheduled flight from/to the UAE shall meet the following conditions.
- Flight Carrying passengers – NOT permitted.
- Flight Carrying Cargo Only – The flight departs from an airport other than an airport located within (1 the Province of Hubei in People’s Republic of China or (2) Islamic Republic of Iran;
- The flight is limited to crew and personnel required for the intended flight;
- All person on-board are SARS-CoV-2 screened on arrival at the UAE airport, unless an alternative means has been accepted by the GCAA
- The screening regime shall be as prescribed by the UAE Health Authority.
- The destination airport is equipped to conduct the prescribed screening regime; and
- The operator has made the necessary pre-arrangement with the airport operator and screening provider.
Asia/Pacific
Australia
Travel restriction on all non-Australian citizens and non-residents Effective 20 March 2020
The following exemptions apply:
Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family:
- For the purposes of the measures introduced in response to COVID-19, the definition of ‘immediate family’ in Regulation 1.12AA Member of the immediate family, of the Migration Regulations 1994 assists. For these purposes, immediate family includes legal guardians, spouse, de facto partner, provisional partner visa holders and dependent children of a traveler eligible for entry to Australia.
- New Zealand citizens ordinarily resident in Australia (subclass 444 visa)
- Airline crew and maritime crew, including medivac crew and general aviation crew
- Diplomats accredited to Australia and currently resident in Australia, and their immediate family
- Citizens of the following countries can transit through Australia to return home-
- Cook Islands
- Nauru Samoa
- Fiji New Caledonia
- Solomon Islands
- French Polynesia
- New Zealand
- Timor Leste
- Kiribati
- Niue
- Tonga
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Tuvalu
- Micronesia
- Papua New Guinea
- Vanuatu
China
CAAC HAS IMPLEMENTED A SPECIAL TEMPORARY NOTICE REGARDING HOW PRIVATE JETS MUST APPLY FOR LANDING PERMITS IN MAINLAND CHINA MARCH 25, 2020
- Applying the government flight plan the local government mission letter is required.
- Applying the regular private flight plan the local government CDC office (Centers for Disease Control) approved letter is required.
- Applying the ferry private flight plan the ferry flight proof letter issued by the operator with the official seal/signature is required.
- CAAC has suspended all the commercial or cargo flight permit application which the seating capacity is over 30. Those flight permit applications would be through the diplomatic channel only.
Expanded Traveler Suspension
China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding valid visas or residence permits because of the rapid global spread of COVID-19, according to an announcement by the Foreign Ministry and the National Immigration Administration on 26MAR.
The suspension — starting on Saturday 28MAR — is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries, the announcement said.
According to the announcement, entry by foreign nationals with APEC business travel cards will be suspended as well.
Policies including port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries will also be temporarily suspended.
Passengers entry with diplomatic, service, courtesy visas and Entry by foreign crew with the C visas issued after this announcement will not be affected. And the passenger and crew who is holding the HK/Macao home return permit and the travel permit for Taiwan residents is still available.
India
Per DGCA India circular dated 05.02.2020 the Government of India has extended “lockdown” through 17th May 2020 23:59am.
Restrictions apply to all domestic and International Airlines, General, Business and Private aviation operators.
Exemptions are for Military, Air Ambulance, All Cargo and Government of India Specifically approved repatriation flights.
Japan
Due to the spread of coronavirus infections, the range of foreigners who are not permitted to enter Japan was expanded, effective 03 April 2020 as follows:
Asia – Indonesia, republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand , Taiwan , china (including Hong Kong and Macau, Philippines , Brunei , Viet Nam , Malaysia
Oceania – Australia, New Zealand
North America – Canada, United States of America
Latin America and Caribbean – Ecuador, Chile, Dominica, Panama , Brazil, Bolivia
Europe – Iceland, Ireland, Albania, Armenia, Andorra, Italy, United Kingdom, Estonia, Austria, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Kosovo, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Czech republic, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Vatican, Hungary, Finland, France, Bulgaria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Romania, Luxembourg
Macau
Updated SAR Measures
COVID 19 alert has been raised by the Macau government.
All foreign visitors and the residents of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan who have been to other countries in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter Macau. A health declaration must be completed and submitted prior to arrival.
Singapore
Traveler Restrictions
In view of the heightened risk of importation of COVID-19 cases into Singapore, Singapore Immigration and Ministry of Education (MOE) will implement additional precautionary measure for all long-term pass holders who are entering or returning to Singapore.
From 29 March 2020, 2359 hours;
1) All ICA issued Long-Term Pass (LTVP) holders, and those who have been grated IPA by ICA for LTVP, will require an approval letter of entry by ICA to gain entry into Singapore.
2) All Student Pass holders, and those who have been granted IPA by ICA for STP, will require an approval letter of entry by MOE to gain entry into Singapore.
3) The approval letter is valid for 2 weeks. LTVP and STP holders must produce such approval letter of entry to airline staff at check-in at the point of departure and to the ICA officer at the checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore
Kindly note that will the approval letter, passengers will still require to abide to the 14 Days Stay Home Notice that will be issued. Work Pass holders will still require Ministry of Manpower approval before departing to Singapore.
Vietnam
- All visa facilities are suspended until further notice.
- All passengers are not allowed to enter Vietnam.
- This does not apply to nationals of Vietnam. They shall contact their nearest Embassy before traveling.
- This does not apply to Diplomats of officials. They will be subject to present a mandatory medical declaration and self-isolation.
- This does not apply to passengers who are experts, business managers or highly skilled workers. They will be subject to present a mandatory medical declaration and self-isolation.
- All passengers will be placed on quarantine at a designated facility for 14 days upon arrival.
- Passengers holding APEC card with VN mentioned on the back can still enter the territory for a stay of maximum 90 days.
- All passengers and crew members must fill out a quarantine form prior to arrival.
- All passengers on outbound and inbound flights are required to wear masks during the flight and flight taxiing in the airport.
- Any flight with COVID-19 case on board will be refused.
How Evo Has Responded
- Regulatory oversight – Consistent monitoring of government and industry updates; airport delays, travel bans, customs issues, etc.
- Market monitoring – Constant contact with direct air carriers for crew and aircraft availability changes; this varies by market, but tracking inventory and knowing who to call saves valuable time in the booking process.
- Staffing escalation – Increased operational oversight and expanded on-call charter hours; dedicated professionals with added checks & balances in all phases of the sourcing, booking, and flight following processes.
Our team is experienced and dedicated. We are working around the clock to serve clients and navigate the changing landscape of the situation.
NOTE: The information on this page is correct to the best of evoJets’ knowledge at the time of publication and is being reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis by Evo staff, given the rapidly evolving nature of the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak Evo cannot guarantee its accuracy and can accept no liability for any errors or omissions. Evo reserves the right to add or change information at any time. Links to third party websites of third parties are offered as a courtesy. Evo expresses no opinion on the content of the websites of third parties and does not accept any responsibility for third-party information. You should make your own independent inquiries before relying on any information or materials contained on these pages.