In short. Sydney Airport has a curfew from 23:00 to 06:00, with an exception for specified low-noise business jets under 34,000 kg that meet the noise rules. Paid passenger flights in Australia are air transport operations that need a CASA air transport AOC; smaller aeroplanes (up to 9 passenger seats and 8,618 kg) fly under CASR Part 135 and larger ones under Part 121. Sydney to Los Angeles is about 6,500 nm, so most private flights to the US stop once; Perth to Singapore is about 2,100 nm.
Sydney
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) is curfewed from 23:00 to 06:00 under the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995. Jet aircraft up to 34,000 kg that hold a noise certificate, meet the Act's noise standards and are named in the curfew aircraft instrument may still operate, taking off to the south and landing to the north over Botany Bay. An aircraft should not depart for Sydney unless it will arrive before 23:00 or holds a dispensation. Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is planned as a curfew-free alternative.
Melbourne and Perth
- Melbourne: Melbourne Airport and Essendon Fields both handle business aviation; Melbourne to Sydney is about 380 nm.
- Perth: Perth Airport is the gateway to Western Australia and the closest Australian city to Singapore and the Gulf. Perth to Sydney is about 1,770 nm.
Who may legally fly you
CASA treats passenger transport for hire or reward as an air transport operation, which replaced the old "charter" category. The operator needs an Australian air transport AOC. Part 135 covers aeroplanes with up to 9 passenger seats and a maximum take-off weight up to 8,618 kg; larger aeroplanes fall under Part 121.
Long-haul flights
Sydney to Singapore is about 3,400 nm, and Sydney to London about 9,200 nm, which needs at least one stop in any business jet. See long-range private flights.
Our role. AeroSterling does not operate or sell flights and holds no air operator certificate. Through our charter request desk we pass your brief to independent, licensed operators and charter brokers that we vet, and they quote and contract with you directly, naming the operating carrier in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private jet land at Sydney Airport at night?
Only certain aircraft. The curfew runs from 23:00 to 06:00, but specified low-noise jets with a maximum take-off weight up to 34,000 kg may operate, using the Botany Bay runways. Other aircraft need a dispensation in exceptional circumstances.
Who may operate a charter flight in Australia?
An operator with a CASA Australian air transport air operator certificate. Smaller aeroplanes are covered by CASR Part 135 and larger ones by Part 121.
Can I fly nonstop from Sydney to Los Angeles in a private jet?
Sydney to Los Angeles is about 6,500 nm great-circle. Only the longest-range business jets can attempt it, and winds often make a stop (for example in Fiji, Tahiti or Hawaii) the practical plan.
How far is Perth from Singapore by private jet?
About 2,100 nm, around five hours in a super-midsize or larger jet.
General information, not legal, tax or operational advice. Rules, airport procedures and prices change; the operator and your advisers confirm what applies to your trip. Distances are great-circle figures from our airport data; times are indicative.
