Schengen air travel confirmation and private aircraft

score:5

Accepted answer

The requirement to present anything about travel arrangement derives from article 14(1)(c) of the regulation. What it says is (my emphasis):

  1. When applying for a uniform visa, the applicant shall present:

(a) documents indicating the purpose of the journey;

(b) documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover his accommodation;

(c) documents indicating that the applicant possesses sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to his country of origin or residence, or for the transit to a third country into which he is certain to be admitted, or that he is in a position to acquire such means lawfully, in accordance with Article 5(1)(c) and (3) of the Schengen Borders Code;

(d) information enabling an assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for.

Item 35 on the form reads:

  1. Who is paying for your cost of travelling and for your costs of living during your stay? Myself Host person/s Host company. (State who and how and present corresponding documentation)

The fact that “travelling” and “living during your stay“ are mentioned in the same sentence further confirms that this item refers to the requirement laid out in article 14(1)(c) and that what's required is not an actual ticket but only having enough money to buy one.

The only place in the regulation where “reservation of or return or round ticket“ are mentioned is Annex II but it is a “non-exhaustive” list starting with the following sentence “The supporting documents referred to in Article 14, to be submitted by visa applicants may include the following:”.

It's true some unofficial documentation implies that you should present a ticket and not having one would be somewhat unusual and might invite scrutiny but it's not required as such, only having the means to travel is. Owning a private plane would seem to fulfil that requirement.

Incidentally, in another context (namely seafarer's visas issued at the border, in annex IX), a car registration number is also mentioned as valid information on the “means of transportation”. Obviously, most visitors are not expected to travel by private plane but when travelling by car, proof of ownership would therefore seem to be enough.

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