Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. is recommending that business aviation operators planning to attend the 2014 Winter Games should anticipate assorted operational challenges - including lack of aircraft parking availability; Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) clearance; and aircraft services options. The games will take place Feb. 7-23, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

1. Media Contact:
Louis Smyth
On-site at NBAA: (713) 306-3269
lsmyth@univ-wea.com
Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Reviews BizavTips for
Attending the 2014 Winter Games
Houston (Nov. 13, 2013) – Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. is recommending that business
aviation operators planning to attend the 2014 Winter Games should anticipate assorted
operational challenges - including lack of aircraft parking availability; Customs, Immigration and
Quarantine (CIQ) clearance; and aircraft services options. The games will take place Feb. 7-23,
2014 in Sochi, Russia.
According to Jerri Banks, Team Manager, ELATE Team, Universal®, operators should initiate
trip planning for the events with their third-party provider and local ground handler without
delay.
The primary airport to consider for this event is Sochi International Airport (URSS); however,
the general aviation (GA) terminal is not ready, and should be completed by late November
2013. There are two official ground handlers at URSS for general aviation flights. Most Russian
business aviation support companies will use their own personnel on the ground, as permitted by
the Federal Security Service (FSS).
“Russian landing permits and airport slot allocations will be strictly controlled by FSS,” said
Banks. “Most landing permits will be handled no earlier than Nov. 1, 2013, so it is recommended
that business aircraft operators provide as many details regarding the purposes of their flights as
early as possible in order to facilitate permit processing.”
All crew members must have valid Russian visas prior to arrival. “Operators should plan on
about two months’ lead time to arrange business visas for the Games period,” advised Banks.
“CIQ clearance at URSS will likely not be available, except for governmental operations. GA
aircraft will need to use another location as an airport of entry prior to proceeding to Sochi.”
Hotel arrangements via third-party providers are not possible in Sochi. All hotel rooms in the
area were pre-booked about two years ago by the Sochi Olympic Committee (SOC). Local
transportation and in-flight catering requirements of any kind must be arranged through SOC or
via one of the ground handlers at URSS, because it is not possible to arrange these services via
third-party providers.
“Operators should be advised that the official alternate airport for URSS is Krasnodar
International Airport (URKK), where about 50 aircraft parking places are available,” said Banks.

2. “Other alternates to consider are, Stavropol (URMT) and Rostov (URRR). It may also be best to
look at alternate airports for aircraft repositioning farther away from the immediate area.”
For more information on the Winter Games, as well as other business aviation operational
information, visit http://www.universalweather.com/blog .
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