Pilots · International flights and Border Force
Your first stop after the Channel.
Your last stop before it.
Border Force-approved for qualifying international general aviation movements, minutes from the Kent coast.
Every international movement needs airport permission
Request PPR, file a flight plan and submit your General Aviation Report before you depart.
Border Force and reporting
What the rules require.
Rochester Airport is a Border Force-approved regulated aerodrome for qualifying international general aviation movements. All international arrivals and departures require prior permission from Rochester Airport and must comply with Border Force, customs, immigration and police reporting requirements.
Pilots must submit a General Aviation Report through the government’s approved sGAR service no earlier than 48 hours and no later than two hours before the expected departure time. Additional notice or prior police approval may apply to flights involving Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland.
A flight plan is also required. Every flight leaving or entering the UK must have an ICAO flight plan filed before departure: at least 60 minutes before you intend to depart, and ideally the day before. File it through NATS AFPEx or your flight-planning app. Our tower is happy to coordinate opening and closing your flight plan: tell them it is filed when you book out or request PPR.
International movements must not be undertaken until airport approval has been confirmed. Passengers requiring UK immigration permission must not disembark until the necessary Border Force clearance has been received.
In order
Permission. File. Clearance. Fly.
Four steps for an international arrival or departure at Rochester.
01 · Permission
Request PPR
Tell the tower it is an international movement, with your route, timings and passengers. Wait for confirmation.
02 · File
Flight plan and GAR
File your ICAO flight plan at least 60 minutes before departure (our tower will coordinate opening and closing it), and your General Aviation Report through sGAR no earlier than 48 hours and no later than two hours before. Check the extra notice rules for Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
03 · Clearance
Wait for Border Force
On arrival, passengers who need UK immigration permission stay on board until clearance has been received.
04 · Fly
Fuel, coffee, go
AVGAS and Jet A1 on the airfield. Landing and parking prices are on the pilot information page.