Dear reader,
I would also like to recommend our Bogota travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Bogota. Enjoy reading it!
Airports in Bogotá
Bogotá boasts two main airports: El Dorado International Airport and Guaymaral Airport. Both offer services and infrastructure for charter flights and private jets.
The routing process for charter and private flights depends on the destination and the availability of airports or runways. Some destinations may require a stopover at another airport or main runway due to distance, fuel, weather, or restrictions.
For example, flying from Bogotá to Leticia might entail a layover in Villavicencio or Florencia. Other destinations can be reached directly from Bogotá without layovers, such as Sogamoso.
El Dorado Airport
El Dorado is Colombia’s largest and busiest airport, and the third in Latin America. It comprises two terminals: T1, handling international and domestic flights for major airlines, and T2, serving regional and domestic flights for low-cost carriers.
El Dorado features a 3,800-meter paved runway equipped with Category III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).
Additionally, it hosts a General Aviation Terminal (TAG) for charter and private flights, accommodating up to 50 aircraft and offering services like:
- Private migration
- Customs
- Security
- Fuel
- Maintenance
- Hangars
- VIP lounges
- Catering
- More.
Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) at El Dorado Airport
El Dorado Airport also caters to charter flights through various Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) providing services for private jets and passengers, including:
- VIP lounges
- Crew lounges
- Meeting rooms
- Flight planning
- Weather reports
- Ground transportation
- Hotel reservations
- Catering
- Customs assistance
- Security checks
- Hangar storage
- Aircraft maintenance
- Fueling
- Aircraft cleaning.
Guaymaral Airport
Guaymaral is a smaller, less congested airport north of Bogotá, featuring a 1,500-meter paved runway with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) landing systems.
Operations and Services
Guaymaral primarily handles charter, private, school, sports, and emergency flights, offering:
- Security
- Fuel
- Maintenance
- Hangars
- VIP lounges
- Catering services.
It’s dedicated to general aviation, excluding regular commercial airline operations. This airport restricts usage to aircraft in categories A (speeds up to 90 knots) and B (speeds between 91 and 120 knots) since El Dorado, Bogotá’s main airport, does not accept single-engine aircraft.
Guaymaral serves as a base for private and commercial planes not requiring El Dorado’s facilities and hosts pilot schools like Aeroandes, Adevia, and the Aeroclub de Colombia, offering training for both professional and amateur pilots.
Base for Antinarcotics Operations and Other Companies
It also serves as the antinarcotics base for the Colombian National Police, housing UH-60 and Bell 212 helicopters. Additionally, it’s home to AvioCharter, AvioPartes, Aeroandes, Llanera de Aviación, Mantenimiento Aéreo Integral, Sicher Helicopters, and Helistar de Aviación.
Fueling is provided by Globe Air Fuel and Energizar Aviación, offering JET A-1 and 100/130 fuels for various aircraft types operating at the airport. Sundays often see gliders and ultralights operating within the airport’s vicinity or training zones.
Charter Flight Landscape in Bogotá
Bogotá hosts several companies offering charter and private flight services for passengers and cargo, boasting a diverse fleet catering to clients’ needs and preferences.
Available Aircraft Fleet
Available aircraft vary from small planes like Piper and Cessna, suitable for short flights to remote destinations, to larger, luxurious aircraft like Beechcraft and Embraer, offering greater capacity and comfort for long-distance travel.
Cessna Fleet
Cessna aircraft are small, single or twin-engine planes capable of carrying between 2 and 12 passengers, depending on the model. They are well-suited for short flights and remote destinations, as they can land on short and unpaved runways. Examples include:
- Cessna 172
- Cessna 208 Caravan
- Cessna Citation
Piper Fleet
Piper aircraft are similar to Cessna, with one or two engines and a capacity of 2 to 10 passengers, depending on the model. They are also suitable for short flights and remote destinations. Examples include:
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee
- Piper PA-31 Navajo
- Piper PA-46 Malibu
Beechcraft Fleet
Beechcraft aircraft are medium-sized, with two or four engines and a capacity of 6 to 19 passengers, depending on the model. They are faster and more comfortable than Cessna and Piper aircraft but also more expensive. Examples include:
- Beechcraft King Air
- Beechcraft Baron
- Beechcraft 1900
Embraer Fleet
Embraer aircraft are large, with two or four engines and a capacity of 19 to 120 passengers, depending on the model. They are the fastest and most luxurious but also the most expensive. Examples include:
- Embraer ERJ 145
- Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia
- Embraer Phenom 300
Charter Flight Destinations to and from Bogotá
Bogotá serves as a strategic hub for charter flights, connecting to numerous destinations within Colombia and abroad.
International Destinations
Popular international charter destinations from Bogotá include:
Bogotá – Miami
Miami, a vibrant and diverse city on the southeast coast of Florida, is renowned for its warm climate, iconic beaches, and lively cultural scene. It’s a trendy destination blending art, entertainment, and beachside living.
- Flight Duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes
- Arrival at: Miami International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 1,829 miles
Bogotá – Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, the passionate capital of Argentina, where tango echoes through its lively streets and European architecture blends with South American energy. A city that captivates with its culture, gastronomy, and unwavering charm.
- Flight Duration: 6 hours and 15 minutes
- Arrival at: Ministro Pistarini International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 3,114 miles
Bogotá – New York
New York, the city that never sleeps, is a global epicenter of culture, business, and entertainment.
With its iconic skyscrapers, Broadway theaters, and unparalleled diversity, it offers a vibrant and unique experience.
- Flight Duration: 5 hours and 15 minutes
- Arrival at: John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 2,615 miles
Bogotá – Aruba
Aruba, the happiest island in the Caribbean, is a paradise of sun, beach, and nature. With its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and exotic flora, it offers a relaxing and wonderful experience. Aruba is also a destination for adventure, culture, and gastronomy.
- Flight Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Arrival at: Queen Beatrix International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 1,079 miles
National Destinations
Domestic charter destinations from Bogotá include
Bogotá – Medellín
Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with museums, theaters, and artistic events reflecting the creativity and diversity of its population.
- Flight Duration: 40 minutes
- Arrival at: José María Córdova International Airport
- Speed: 224 mph
- Distance: 49 miles
Bogotá – Cartagena
Cartagena, the Caribbean gem of Colombia, is a port city brimming with historic charm. With its centuries-old walls, cobblestone streets, and colorful colonial buildings, Cartagena blends ancient elegance with contemporary vitality.
- Flight Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Arrival at: Rafael Núñez International Airport
- Speed: 261 mph
- Distance: 348 miles
Bogotá – San Andrés
San Andrés, a tropical paradise in the Caribbean, captivates with its crystal-clear beaches, white sands, and vibrant marine life. This Colombian haven offers an idyllic escape where lush nature meets island culture, creating a unique atmosphere of relaxation and adventure.
- Flight Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Arrival at: Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport
- Speed: 298 mph
- Distance: 746 miles
Bogotá – San Gil
San Gil, the tourist capital of Santander, is an adventurous city offering multiple outdoor recreation options. With its rushing rivers, green mountains, and natural parks, San Gil combines adrenaline with scenic beauty.
- Flight Duration: 50 minutes
- Arrival at: Los Pozos Airport
- Speed: 186 mph
- Distance: 155 miles
Bogotá – Sogamoso
Sogamoso, the city of sun and steel, is a Boyacá municipality radiating history and culture. Sogamoso also beckons adventure and nature exploration.
- Flight Duration: 40 minutes
- Arrival at: Alberto Lleras Camargo Airport
- Speed: 186 mph
- Distance: 124 miles
Bogotá – Nuquí
Nuquí, the peaceful treasure of Colombia, is a jungle municipality brimming with natural magic. With its crystalline waterfalls, rushing rivers, and lush tropical forests, Nuquí combines ecological adventure with paradisiacal tranquility.
- Flight Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Arrival at: Reyes Murillo Airport
- Speed: 149 mph
- Distance: 186 miles
Bogotá – Leticia
Leticia, the Amazonian pearl of Colombia, is a border city teeming with cultural diversity. Leticia stands out for the peaceful coexistence of three countries: Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, and for the presence of numerous indigenous communities preserving their ancestral traditions.
- Flight Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Arrival at: Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport
- Speed: 224 mph
- Distance: 484 miles
Restrictions on Charter Flights in Bogotá
Bogotá is a city with a complex and varied topography, which presents some challenges and restrictions for charter and private flights. Some aspects to consider include:
- Altitude: Bogotá is situated at 8,530 feet above sea level, meaning the air is thinner and colder. This affects aircraft performance, requiring more power and fuel for takeoff and landing. It also affects passengers’ health, who may experience altitude sickness.
- Climate: Bogotá has a temperate climate, with an average temperature of 57°F. However, weather can vary depending on the time of day, season, and area of the city. Charter and private flights must be prepared for sudden weather changes such as rain, fog, wind, or hail. They should also consider destination weather conditions, which may differ significantly from Bogotá.
Immigration Process for Charter Flights in Bogotá
Guaymaral Airport does not offer international services, so you must go to El Dorado for immigration processing. Immigration procedures can be completed on-site, as Colombia’s immigration personnel travel to the private hangar where the aircraft is located. This avoids queues and facilitates passenger boarding.
Below are the immigration controls for charter flights by Colombia’s immigration authority:
- Arrival, document verification, and presentation: Before landing, migration personnel head to the private hangar where your plane is. A crew representative presents the properly filed General Flight Declaration via the entity’s web channel to the migration officer.
- Document review and migration control: Migration control involves document review and verification, checking information such as digital seal, flight date and details, aircraft registration, crew, and passenger names.
With the reviewed and accepted declaration, the officer conducts migration control, verifying that the individuals subject to migration control are those registered in the General Flight Declaration. - Document delivery: Once the control is complete, you’ll receive your travel documents with migration stamps. All information will be recorded in the Migration Colombia system.
- Alerts and feedback: Staff will dismiss alerts and provide feedback. Migration movement registration won’t be allowed if the traveler isn’t facing the migration officer. If there are movements, the officer records updates and notifies the coordinator or shift leader and the CECAM (Joint Strategic Center for Migration Analysis).
- Air operator obligations: The compliance with air operator obligations according to Resolution 3167 of 2019 regarding the Advance Passenger Information System APIS will be investigated.
- Sanctions and compliance: In situations where obligations aren’t met, the flight supervising officers will inform the operational staff about possible economic sanctions and potential non-attention to the flight by the migration authority. Therefore, ensure to hire a company that can fulfill all the aforementioned processes to guarantee a hassle-free experience.
With that said, remember to fill out the Check-Mig form 24 hours before entering or leaving the country.
More about transportation in Colombia
- How To Get Around Colombia Like A Pro: An Expert Transportation Guide
- Finding the Top Charter Flight Service in Colombia: A Comprehensive Guide
- Your Complete Guide to Colombia’s Airports: Where to Land and What to Expect
- Travel to Colombia on your Private Jet – Hassle-Free Guide
- Charter Flights in Bogota, Colombia – Traveler’s Guide
- Charter Flights in Santa Marta, Colombia – Travelers Guide
- Charter Flights in Santander, Colombia – Travelers Guide
- Charter Flights in the Coffee Triangle, Colombia – Travelers Guide
- Charter flights in Meta, Colombia – Travelers Guide
- Charter Flights in the Amazon, Colombia – Travelers Guide
- Charter Flights in San Andres, Colombia – Travelers Guide
