Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and has become even more popular as a business and tourism destination over recent years. If you have a trip to this beautiful and culturally inspiring part of the world, it’s something to look forward to. Barcelona (LEBL) is an accommodating airfield and not a difficult proposition from the regulatory perspective; however, there are specific local procedures and restrictions to be aware of.

Here’s what you need to know:

Airport options

LEBL

LEBL is the primary airport for Barcelona, with Girona (LEGE) as the alternate option if aircraft parking becomes an issue. For General Aviation (GA) operations to Barcelona, LEBL is the most frequently used airfield and usually the airport of choice. Runways, taxiways, and ramp areas at LEBL are in good condition.

Drive-time from LEBL to city center 15-20 minutes.

Curfews

LEBL is a 24-hour airport of entry with no noise restrictions or curfews for Stage 3 and above operations. Peak hours of scheduled commercial activity are typically 0700-1400 local, but this location seldom experiences arrival/departure holds or delays.

Slots

LEBL requires airport slots for all arrivals/departures. Slots are requested from the airport authority via your ground handler using a specific request format. The LEBL slot office operates 24 hours, and within an hour of a request, slot status will be known. If a slot is not available, the airport authority will offer an alternative time for the slot requested. Due to eCDM (Collaboraborative Decision Making) implementation, departure slots have 0 minutes tolerance, and flight plans must match. Aircraft parking will be confirmed simultaneously.
Because LEBL airport authorities provide equal access to airport slots for both scheduled airline and GA operations, there are usually no issues with GA slot availability.
Note: If your trip plans change, cancel any confirmed airport slots. Fines may apply if slots are not canceled.

PPR

Prior Permission Required (PPR) is not usually necessary for LEBL . During hectic local event periods, however, PPR mandates may be in place for limited periods. Always confirm this with your 3rd-party provider or ground handler in advance.

Parking

Approximately 40 GA parking spots are available at LEBL , and these are conveniently located close to the GAT. LEBL has no restrictions on aircraft size. If you have large, wide-body equipment, such as an Airbus A340 or Boeing 777/747, you’ll be parked on the commercial/airline side and transported to the GAT for CIQ clearance. Otherwise, you’ll be parked next to the GAT. Depending on the GA ramp parking spot, you may be able to power in/out as a 180 degree push back can be performed after arrival. Parking costs at LEBL are based on maximum takeoff weight. There are no length-of-stay parking limitations here unless a sizeable local event is going on. During periods of high congestion, airport authorities may advise you to leave after a certain amount of time. In rare cases, when airport congestion is significant, you may need to drop and go at LEBL and reposition your aircraft elsewhere.

FBOs and ground handling

FBOs

A 24-hour GA Terminal (GAT) is available at LEBL , with Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) clearance on site 24H. There is a consortium of three ground support providers managing the GAT, one of which is Universal Aviation Spain. Universal Aviation Spain has an office located inside the GAT, with its own private VIP and crew lounges as well—free for its customers.

Ground handling

It’s best to provide your ground handler with at least 24-hours advance notification to set up ground handling. However, requests with just an hour’s advance notice can usually be accommodated. Your ground handler will coordinate airport slots and all service requests as needed. Spain does not issue specific airport slot numbers. What needs to be added to remarks section 18 of the flight plan is the chosen handling agent and the FBO used by that handling agent, for example, HANDLING BY UNIVERSAL/FBO1-SFM. Schedule changes are only problematic if airport curfew hours are impacted.

Always provide your ground handler with aircraft type, registration (tail number), flight number if non-private flight, and estimated arrival time. GenDec is always needed, but especially for international arrivals from outside the Schengen area, provide the crew/passenger information in advance so your ground handler can advise Immigration. The full schedule is needed in advance at most Spanish airports, as airport slots need to be arranged for arrivals and departures. A to-be-advised (TBA) schedule is not accepted in case airport slots are required for this reason.

All 3rd-party services, including in-flight catering, transportation, and aircraft services, can be set up on credit by your ground handler. If in-flight catering menus are needed, they’ll be provided to the operator. Your ground handler will look after all government fees on credit. Ground handling charges, landing fees, and aircraft parking charges are based on maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). Airport taxes for customs/immigration services are charged based on passenger count, not crew. Estimated invoices for ground handling and all associated service charges can be generated before arrival.

Equipment

At this location, you may only use an auxiliary power unit for 10 minutes after landing and 10 minutes before departure. If more time is needed, it needs to be coordinated with ATC through your Handling Agent, you can find all this information and more on the AIP. All operations to LEBL , or any airport in Spain, must be Stage 3 or Stage 2 hush-kitted to Stage 3 standards. Stage 2 movements are not permitted. If airport authorities check and determine that you’re operating with Stage 2 equipment, there will be issues. European Aviation Safety Agency agents perform random ramp checks from time to time to confirm aircraft and crew documentation.

Hotels

High-quality hotels – including large international chains – are plentiful in the Barcelona area. The average price of a 4-star crew room is 140-150 Euros per night, but this increases during high season or special events – such as the Spanish Grand Prix or Barcelona Boat Show – are taking place.

Ground transport

It’s not recommended for crews unfamiliar with the area to rent vehicles in Barcelona. This is because local traffic is heavy, most road signs are in Spanish, and local drivers have their own individual driving techniques. Pre-paid (car with driver) transport or vetted taxi services are preferred options.

Fuel

There are a few different fuel suppliers on the field at LEBL , as well as hydrant fuel facilities on the commercial side. The GAT has no restrictions on which fuel supplier you may use. It’s best, however, to specify in advance which fuel supplier you’d like to deal with. Major aviation fuel cards are typically accepted. Still, it’s always a good policy to carry a fuel release.

In-flight catering

In-flight caterers are available at LEBL 24 hours, and they’re adept at meeting higher-end GA catering requirements. It’s always best to provide at least 24 hours’ advance notification of catering requirements, especially for special requests. However, catering at this location can usually be successfully sourced with just a few hours’ notice. It’s recommended that operators take advantage of in-flight caterers at LEBL , as local restaurants may not provide bulk food options or deliver food cooled to appropriate health standards.

You can check  Air Culinaire Worldwide to see catering options and menus available.

Security

LEBL is a very secure airfield complete with private and airport security services, proper fencing, secure airport access checkpoints, and regular patrols. Please note that private aircraft security is not possible or permitted at this location unless your flight is diplomatic. Private vehicles are not allowed airside at LEBL – other than for air ambulance and qualifying diplomatic operations.

CIQ

Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) clearance at the LEBL general aviation terminal usually take about five minutes for arrival and 10-15 minutes for departure, depending on the number of passengers. Suppose you need to reclaim value-added tax before an international departure. In that case, this can be accomplished at the main terminal (ensure you have all accompanying receipts). Onboard pets are permitted so long as the animal has a pet passport or is microchipped, and you have evidence of current vaccinations, as well as a vet letter stating health status. Spain is refreshingly lenient in terms of arriving international food and in-flight catering items. Suppose you wish to bring in catering for the next leg of your travel. In that case, it’s best to communicate with a 3rd-party provider or ground handler, but it’s usually not an issue.

After hours

For operations after regular CIQ hours, overtime is possible with a couple of hours’ advance notification. For operations between 2359 and 0559 local, there’s no surcharge for CIQ service, but it needs to be requested in advance.

Weather

Barcelona’s weather is pleasant for most of the year. However, you’ll experience the absolute best weather from May to the end of July, making these months particularly attractive for visiting the city. September is also a good month.

Summer

August is generally hot (sometimes peaking around 34°C, 95°F ) and humid, so if you love saunas, then this is the time of the year for you. Seriously though, the extra humidity makes the temperature seem even hotter. If you decide to visit Barcelona in August, then make sure to choose a hotel room with air conditioning.

Cooler Months

The weather in October and November is still pleasant but starts to get a little cooler (21°C down to 15°C, 69 to 59°F). You won’t find sunshine every day, though, so be prepared for days when it could be overcast with a bit of rain.

Remember, these are only guidelines, and the weather can vary somewhat from year to year. Especially in the last few years, there have been some fluctuations from the norm.

Winter

From November to February, the temperatures are cooler, averaging around 12°C or 53°F. It doesn’t tend to rain a lot here in Winter, so even though it may be cooler, frequently you’ll have some sunny days too. But do be prepared for some overcast and rainy days. It’s all the luck of the draw.

Tech stops

For tech stops, passengers and crewmembers typically do not need to clear CIQ but may, on rare occasions, be examined at CIQ’s discretion.

Peak season

Peak season in Barcelona is the summer. But operators should also expect high traffic during the annual Spanish Grand Prix and Mobile World Congress.

Conclusion

Barcelona is one of the better no-hassle operating destinations within the EU, and parking availability is usually plentiful at this location.

While charter operations should plan on extra lead-time when operating to Spain, private flights face minimal procedural or documentation challenges. In most cases, airport slots for Barcelona (LEBL) are easy to adapt when schedules need to be changed.