Arriving by air
The zones around the island, the border status, where aircraft may land and how to get clearance before you fly.
Border status
Closed
Aircraft and vessels without clearance are hailed, given three warnings and then engaged automatically. Request clearance before you travel.
The zones around the island
The island's airspace and waters are divided into three zones, measured from the Government reference point at the centre of the island (GN 2/2026).
| Zone | Distance | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance area | 3.5 km | Aircraft and vessels are tracked by Coral Control. |
| Air Defence Identification Zone | 2.5 km | Craft without clearance are hailed and must turn back or request clearance. |
| Sovereign airspace and waters | 1.5 km | Craft without clearance receive a final warning and may be engaged. |
What the border status means
| Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Open | Aircraft and vessels are tracked by Coral Control but are not challenged. Normal entry rules apply: everyone must hold a visa. |
| Alert | Craft without clearance that enter the Air Defence Identification Zone are hailed and warned. They may be engaged on the order of the duty officer. |
| Closed | Craft without clearance are hailed, given three warnings and then engaged automatically. Request clearance before you travel. |
| Lockdown | Airspace and waters are closed to all craft without clearance. Warnings are shortened. Turn back or request clearance at once. |
The status in force is always shown on the border status page.
Where you can land
Aircraft may land only at (LN 2/2026):
- Coral Island Airfield
- Northpoint Landing, for seaplanes
- the Government House helipad, for official flights only
Getting clearance
The safest way is to apply for permission to land before you set off. Permission takes effect with Coral Control within a minute of being granted and lasts until the end of the arrival window you asked for, up to 72 hours.
You can also call Coral Control with the radio request /coralaccess on approach. Coral Control may refuse or ask you to hold.
Permission to land is not a visa. Everyone on board must hold a visa, residence permit or certificate of citizenship.
What Coral Control will say
If you enter the zones without clearance, Coral Control will:
- hail you and ask you to identify yourself and turn back or request clearance
- give a second warning if you continue
- give a final warning as you approach sovereign airspace
What happens after the final warning depends on the border status. Answer Coral Control and turn back when told to.
If you land without clearance
Report at once, with everyone on board, to the border desk at Government House, Puerto Coral. Landing without permission or clearance is an offence.
Any firearm or ammunition on board must be declared on arrival to a police officer, an immigration officer or the Harbour Master, and delivered unloaded to the Police station, Puerto Coral (section 32).