International Ops from non International Airport

[nomorecatering]

Has anyone done it.

Lets say you want to launch in your G650 out of Bendigo and go direct to Tokyo. All Aussie citizens and passport holders.

At face value it seems straight forward, fill in the required forms, notify the National Passanger Processing Commitee more than a month in advance and get the required approval.

On the form they asky why do you seek approval. is a reason that you just dont want to tech stop at Cairns to clear customs a good enough reason.

What would the conditions they impose be. Does anyone from customs actually turn up at the aircraft and stamp your passports as you board. Would you have to set aside a quarantined sterile area.

I imagine the "Fee" payable would be interesting to say the least.

[eocvictim]

Need to organise a time and have customs come out inspect and stamp the passports.

[startingout]

I guess it would be the same as an international departure from Broome from the GA section, except customs are not there on the otherside of the airfield. You give them a call the day before to tell them departure/arrival times and at what airport. They come around with a big briefcase, check all of your outgoing paperwork, carnet's etc are in order, look through your passport. I have no stamps from going outbound. Once it is all clear you say thank's and cya later.

[Worrals in the wilds]

What would the conditions they impose be. Does anyone from customs actually turn up at the aircraft and stamp your passports as you board.

Correct, although outbound Aussie passports are no longer routinely stamped (no kidding, it saved a fortune in ink). There used to be a charge for their transport from the nearest manned Customs port, although I don't know if that's still the case. That may be the fee mentioned. There is also a limit on the number of pax you can have, but from memory it varies from office to office (it was max 15 POB here, any more and you had to go to an international airport).

If you are departing there is no need to worry about Quarantine but if you are an arrival you need to contact AQIS in advance so they can send out an Inspector as well to physically clear your aircraft. Possibly in more far flung places they deputise Customs, but you would need to check with them.

On arrival the clearance process should be reasonably straight forward, but be aware that Customs are fully entitled to turn up with a full search team, mobile X ray and car full of drug dogs if they feel like it. 9 times out of 10 Customs will just want your paperwork and a quick peek inside the aircraft, and AQIS will want evidence of you bug spraying it and check it for fruit etc.

[Warragul]

The airport does have to be gazetted in some form as an overseas airport. For example, Launceston, Hamilton Island and Avalon are, Bankstown isn't. So Customs/AQIS will turn up to the former given the appropriate notice and permission, but you're not allowed to depart to an overseas port from Bankstown without stopping at an approved port to do the Customs bit.

[Old Akro]

I expect that the Dept of Immigration (passport control is not customs) will send someone to Bendigo, (or wherever) to check passports and collect departure cards (you will still need to certify that you are not taking cash, native animals, out of the country, etc). I also expect that you will be charged for the time & travel costs of the officer (s). There may also be some manifests required to be completed in Aust. that are then presented to the arrival country. If you have ever sat near the front door of an international flight you would notice that there is a fair bit of paper and bureaucracy that goes on before anyone can disembark. This will still be required for a private flight. I think some of the paperwork might be under government to government treaty, in which case it must be generated in Aust.

[Warragul]

Passport Control is performed by Customs on behalf of DIAC, non airline ops from "unmanned" (for CIQ purposes) airports would rarely see DIAC attend in person.
All traveller info is required well in advance of travel to allow most of the systems checks (such as Immigration)to be performed prior to travel, with physical checks and verification done onsite.

[windowshopper2010]

AIP GEN 1.2 may be helpful.

[STOL Artist]

I would love to see the bill when you make them drive/fly to some remote airport to clear you. It isn't free you know.

[Animalclub]

A few years ago departing from Australia without a passport was not illegal.

I checked with Immigration at Brisbane airport when I was asked to board an Australian citizen to POM on a scheduled service without a passport. I was told that it was OK... but not OK to travel TO Australia without a passport.

I cannot comment on other aircraft/AQIS documentation.

[Warragul]

Technically that is correct from a legalistic view, but heavy fines for the carrier at other end for arriving with no travel document without prior approval. As is it is for arriving here.

[Tmbstory]

Many years ago we used Broome, to and from Singapore in a Falcon 10.

The Authorities would dispatch and meet the aircraft and the passengers liked the service.

Tmb.

[airsupport]

Many years ago, way back in 1988, we also used Broome, for that F27 ferry flight to England, see ''Ansett and the Fokker Friendship'' thread. The Customs and Immigration was all prearranged by Ansett of course, but the people there were very professional and helpful, I even got one of them to stamp a few postcards with their ''departed Australia at Broome'' stamp. ;)

Funny thing with my passport, things have probably changed since 9/11, but I went all that way via all those Countries, and back to Australia as a pax, and that stamp out of Broome was the ONLY thing in my passport. :(

When we arrived at Norwich in England, we were supposed to be met by the UK Customs and Immigration people, however it was on the weekend and there was nobody there, we waited about an hour and nobody turned up so the Air UK guys just said go, so we did.

A few days later when I fronted up at Heathrow to fly home as a pax on SIA, the Immigration guy looked at my passport and said where did you enter the UK? I explained it all and he said nobody could possibly make up a story like that so off you go, but he wouldn't stamp my passport departing the UK as it wasn't stamped arriving. :ugh:

[601]

Many years ago, way back in 1988, we also used Broome

We used to leave and enter at Broome back in the 70s. We would arrange entry about 14 days before arrival. The best day to enter was Saturday arvo.

[Goat Whisperer]

Several chartered 757s have cleared customs at Ayers Rock, some inbound, some out, and DC8 freighters have taken loads of camels straight out of Alice Springs for the Middle East.

It costs to get the customs folk there but it's possible.

Biz jets leave from Essendon when they don't need Tulla's runway.

[gupta]

The first international operation at AYQ was a Condor 757 on Christmas Eve 1993, direct from Singapore. Configuration was all first class (on charter) & it carried ~75 v wealthy Germans. AQIS were "local" from ASP, & Customs were flown down from Darwin.
The terminal flow was reversed (entering into the arrivals hall) to preserve separation, & the whole operation was outside RPT hours.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff110/timbo666_bucket/justlanded.jpg