Interested in attending the 2018 World Cup in Russia? You’re not alone. An estimated 3 million fans will head to at least one match in Russia this summer. This means planning ahead to make sure you’ve got a flight, a place to stay, tickets, not to mention the proper fan gear to represent your favorite team.

There are 11 host cities for the 2018 World Cup games, which means there are 11 airports of entry (AOE) for General Aviation Operators. Congestion at these locations means finding a slot, parking, and crew accommodations will be challenging.

Do this first

Determine Airport of Entry (AOE)
Submit slot request
Determine overnight parking for aircraft (not at destination airport)
Check NOTAMS & Monitor
Book accommodations for passengers and crew

One Month Out

Secure Permits
Obtain Visas
Obtain ground transportation (certified and licensed driver, prepaid)
Check fuel requirements (Only TS-1 is available in Russia)

Specifics

Slots

Slot requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the World Cup.
Slot confirmation will not be communicated until 2 – 3 weeks prior to the commencement of the event.
Slot deviation is normally +/- 30 minutes or +/- 45 minutes for longer flights.
There will be penalties for non-adherence to approved slots.
Aircraft parking depends on slot approval
Parking will be limited to a maximum of two hours on the ground. You’ll need to overnight in an alternate airport.
Fuel operators should avoid uplifting fuel and catering during drops as not to cause flight delays and missing a departure slot.

NOTAMS

Authorities will publish NOTAMS 3 – 6 months prior to the opening event. These will list the requirements and restrictions for each airfield. Monitor the NOTAMS for your intended destination.

Permits

Permit lead times depend on how many passengers you’ll have and how many flights you make within a one month period. Permits are valid from 0001UTC on the day of the ETA to 48 hours beyond.

Fewer than 19 passenger seats and fewer than 4 flights per month – One business day lead time.
More than 19 passenger seats or more than 10 people on the flight, or more than 4 flights per month – 14 days lead time.

Information required for permits.

Registration and airworthiness certificate.
Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for charter aircraft only.
Worldwide insurance with 3rd-party liability
Aircraft noise certificate indicating MTOW
Crew pilot licenses.
If the aircraft is more than 10 years old or there’s no expiration date on the airworthiness certificate you’ll need to provide Aircraft maintenance log
Crew and passenger information
Purpose of flight
Route and schedule
Cargo details

Visas

Most nationalities require visas to enter Russia and passenger visas are not available on arrival. Crew applications for visas must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Both crew and passenger visas must be obtained before arrival to Russia.

Cabotage

If you pick up passengers in Russia, they must remain onboard until the aircraft departs. Foreign registered aircraft may not transport cargo or people within Russia.

Fuel

Airports in Russia only have TS – 1 jet fuel. Operators should check that this type of fuel can be uplifted. Also, confirm additive availability in Russia prior to travel.

Crew Accommodations

Every host city has a range of hotel rooms, though 4- and 5-star hotels might be scarce in some cities. Expect hotels to sell out and for rooms to be priced higher than normal. Book hotel rooms well in advance.

Security

While there is political tension in Russia the risk of threat is low. Avoid large crowds or protests, watch local news, and alternate routes to your destinations.

The Good News: Jetex Can Handle the Whole Trip

Whether you have a jet, and simply need trip support, or need to charter a jet too, Jetex has you covered. We can do both. In fact, we can handle the whole trip! All you need to do is show up.

Need a jet?

Our X by Jetex team charters jets for groups large or small. (We just made arrangements for a group of 2500 people!) The team also makes arrangements for hotels, luxury villas, helicopters, ground transportation, and tickets, anything you need to watch your team play.

Give us a call +971 4 212 4000 or send us an email at xperience@jetex.com.

Have a jet?

For over a decade Jetex planned and supported tens of thousands of trips all over the world. From permits, to flight plans, to fuel to support before, during and after the flight, we can get you to the game without a hitch. The Jetex Status Team starts 5 hours before the flight. They make calls, checking every step of the flight to make sure the fuel is ready, the catering is on point, the permits are in place and the weather is noted. Again at takeoff they repeat this process. They are sticklers for staying on schedule.

From there the Flight Support Team takes over, providing continuous support during the journey. They coordinate with ATC, provide en route NOTAMS and weather briefings, and use real-time tracking to keep you on track. We have three operations centers in Dubai, Shanghai, and Miami, that provide 24-hour support.

Ready to plan your trip? Contact us today on +971 4 212 4000 or email info@jetex.com.