Updated on 04/23/2024
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I would also like to recommend our Colombia travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Colombia. Enjoy reading it!
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Airports in Santander
The department of Santander boasts a total of 12 airports, with two standing out as the largest among them: The Palonegro International Airport in Bucaramanga and the Yariguíes Airport in Barrancabermeja. Both offer services and infrastructure for charter flights and private jets.
Additionally, there are other alternative airports in Santander located in Puerto Wilches, Sabana de Torres, San Vicente, El Carmen, Zapatoca, Málaga, Socorro, San Gil, Cimitarra, and Barbosa. Small regional companies travel to these airports.
Palonegro International Airport
The Palonegro International Airport is located to the west of Bucaramanga in the municipality of Lebrija, precisely 12 miles from the capital of the Santander department. It is considered the most important airport in the region, serving both domestic and international flights.
Here are some interesting facts about the airport:
- Inaugurated in 1968, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. It currently features a runway measuring 9842 ft. in length and 147 ft. in width.
- The runway is equipped with Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and paved with asphalt, ensuring a smooth and safe surface for aircraft takeoff and landing.
- Situated at an altitude of 3904 ft. above sea level, the airport terminal offers a variety of services to passengers, including waiting lounges, restaurants, shops, currency exchange offices, among others.
Yariguíes Airport
The Yariguíes Airport is located in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, approximately 6.2 miles from the city center.
Here are some interesting facts about the airport:
- The airport’s runway has a length of 7874 ft. and is paved with asphalt. This length is sufficient for most charter and private planes to safely land and take off.
- The runway is also equipped with Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), allowing pilots to land and take off safely in low-visibility conditions.
- The Yariguíes Airport features an aircraft maintenance platform capable of servicing medium and small-sized planes. This platform offers a variety of maintenance services, including routine inspections, damage repairs, and modifications.
- Jet A-1 and Avgas fuel services are available at the Yariguíes Airport. Jet A-1 fuel is the most common fuel for charter and private planes. Additionally, there are several car rental companies offering a wide range of vehicles for rent, including short-term rentals, long-term rentals, and rentals with drivers.
Overall, the Yariguíes Airport offers quality infrastructure and services, making it an attractive option for charter and private planes.
Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) at Santander Airports
The Palonegro International Airport and the Yariguíes Airport are managed by Aeropuertos de Oriente S.A.S, an operating company that also manages four other airports in the northeastern region of the country.
Here are some of the services they offer:
- Flight planning
- Fuel supply
- Ground transportation
- Aircraft cleaning
- Catering
- Hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance
- Hotel reservations
- Customs assistance and security control
Charter Flight Overview in Santander
In the department of Santander, several companies offer charter and private flight services, serving both passengers and cargo. These companies have a wide range of aircraft in their fleet, designed to suit the diverse needs and preferences of their customers.
Available Aircraft Fleet
The available aircraft fleet typically ranges from small aircraft like Piper and Cessna, ideal for short flights and remote destinations, to larger and more luxurious planes like Beechcraft and Embraer, offering greater capacity and amenities for long-distance flights.
Piper Fleet
Piper aircraft resemble Cessnas as single or twin-engine planes, with capacity ranging from 2 to 10 passengers, depending on the model. They are suitable for short trips and remote destinations, with the ability to land on short runways and unpaved surfaces.
Notable examples in this category include:
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee
- Piper PA-31 Navajo
- Piper PA-46 Malibu
Cessna Fleet
Cessnas are smaller aircraft equipped with one or two engines, with capacity ranging from 2 to 12 passengers, depending on the variant. They are suitable for short trips and remote destinations, capable of landing on short and unpaved runways.
Notable models include:
- Cessna 172
- Cessna 208 Caravan
- Cessna Citation
Embraer Fleet
Embraer aircraft, large-sized and equipped with two or four engines, can accommodate between 19 and 120 passengers, depending on the model. They are known for their speed and luxury, although they also have a higher cost.
Notable examples include:
- Embraer ERJ 145
- Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia
- Embraer Phenom 300
Beechcraft Fleet
Beechcraft aircraft, intermediate in size and equipped with two or four engines, can accommodate between 6 and 19 passengers, depending on the model. They offer greater speed and comfort compared to Cessnas and Pipers, although they also have a higher cost.
Representative examples include:
- Beechcraft King Air
- Beechcraft Baron
- Beechcraft 1900
Charter Flight Destinations To and From Santander
In the department of Santander, Colombia, there are 12 airports, including 2 international ones: Palonegro Airport and Yariguíes Airport. These play a strategic role in offering charter flight services, facilitating personalized connections to various destinations, both domestic and international.
The duration of flights may vary, with direct flights to national destinations taking approximately 45 to 60 minutes. For international destinations, the duration may extend to several hours.
In the case of flights with layovers, the travel time tends to be longer, as it involves a stopover at another airport, usually in Bogotá or another major city in the country.
International Destinations
Some of the most popular international destinations from Bucaramanga are:
Bucaramanga – Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, known as the “Venice of America”, is a vibrant coastal city in South Florida. Famous for its extensive networks of canals and marinas, it offers a unique maritime experience. Its golden sandy beaches, such as the popular Fort Lauderdale Beach, are ideal for sunbathing and water activities.
- Flight time: About 6 hours
- Landing at: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 1391 miles
Bucaramanga – Miami
Miami, a vibrant city in southeastern Florida, is known for its cultural diversity, lively nightlife and dazzling beaches. Located on the Atlantic coast, Miami is a melting pot of Latin and Caribbean influences, reflected in its cuisine, art and music. South Beach, with its famous Ocean Drive, is an icon of the beach scene and art deco architecture.
- Flight time: 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Landing at: Miami International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 1370 miles
Bucaramanga – Panama City
Panama City, the capital of Panama, is a modern metropolis located at the intersection of Central and South America. Known for its impressive skyline, the city is a key financial and commercial center. Its old town, Casco Viejo, offers historic charm with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture.
- Flight time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Landing at: Tocumen International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 456 miles
National Destinations
Some of the most popular national destinations for charter flights from Bucaramanga are:
Bucaramanga – Bogota
Bogota, the capital of Colombia, stands as a dynamic and diverse metropolis located in the Andean highlands. At an altitude of 2,640 meters above sea level, this vibrant city offers a unique combination of modernity and tradition.
- Flight duration: 1 hour
- Landing at: El Dorado International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 185 miles
Bucaramanga – Cartagena
Bathed by the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena offers white sand beaches and a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Its old town, declared a World Heritage Site, reveals the richness of its past and the bustle of its present, making it a fascinating destination.
- Flight duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Landing at: Rafael Núñez International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 278 miles
Bucaramanga – Cali
Cali, known as the “Capital of Salsa” and the third largest city in Colombia, stands out for its vibrant cultural scene and festive spirit. Located in the southwest of the country, on the banks of the Cauca River, this tropical metropolis offers a unique combination of tradition and modernity.
- Flight time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Landing at: Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 345 miles
Bucaramanga – Medellin
Medellín, known as the “City of Eternal Spring”, is Colombia’s second largest city. Surrounded by mountains, it offers a temperate climate, vibrant culture and a growing art scene. Its modern architecture, cable cars and outdoor escalators make it unique.
- Flight time: 50 minutes
- Landing at: José María Córdova International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 180 miles
Bucaramanga – Barranquilla
Barranquilla, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is a vibrant and warm city with a rich cultural heritage. Known for its lively carnival, it is a key commercial and industrial center. Its beaches, festivals and the joy of its people make Barranquilla a unique destination in Colombia’s Caribbean region.
- Flight time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Landing at: Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 292 miles
Bucaramanga – Cúcuta
Cúcuta, located in northeastern Colombia, is a border city with Venezuela. With a rich and diverse history, Cúcuta is known for its cultural and commercial influence in the region. Its strategic location makes it an important economic center and connection between the two countries.
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Landing at: Camilo Daza International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 67 miles
Bucaramanga – Yopal
Yopal, located in the department of Casanare, is a city noted for its activity in the oil industry, for its llanera cuisine and traditional music that reflects the identity of the region. Yopal is a destination that fuses the urban with the authenticity of the Colombian plains.
- Flight duration: 1 hour
- Landing at: El Alcaraván Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 133 miles
Bucaramanga – Arauca
Arauca, located in the department of the same name, is a Colombian municipality with a characteristic charm. Surrounded by beautiful plains landscapes, this place reflects the rich culture of the region. With its main square as its focal point, Arauca exhibits colonial architecture and a traditional atmosphere.
- Flight duration: About 1 hour
- Landing at: Santiago Perez Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 161 miles
Bucaramanga – Santa Marta
Santa Marta, Colombia’s coastal jewel, is a destination that combines history, nature and beach. Bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, this city captivates with its colonial charm and lively boardwalk. With the imposing Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta as a backdrop, the city offers a unique blend of culture and biodiversity.
- Flight duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Landing at: Simon Bolivar International Airport
- Speed: 497 mph
- Distance: 296 miles
Restrictions on Charter Flights in Santander
The complex and varied topography of the Santander department poses challenges and restrictions for charter and private flights. It is crucial to consider various aspects when planning operations in this department. For example, in the city of Barrancabermeja, the climate is tropical, with frequent rains throughout the year. It is important to check the weather forecast before traveling.
Migratory Process for Charter Flights in Santander
The immigration and customs procedure at the Yariguíes Airport cannot be carried out as there is no immigration or customs personnel.
However, at the Palonegro International Airport, the immigration process can be conducted on-site, as personnel from Migración Colombia travel to the private hangar where the plane is located. This eliminates queues and facilitates passenger boarding.
Here are the steps involved in the immigration control for charter flight passengers by Migración Colombia:
- 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 Charter Flights 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 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
