u/B_Gustav

Hi everyone!

I'm visiting Aruba from November 2–13, 2026, and I'd love to bring my DJI Air 3S to take some recreational photos and videos of the island.

While researching the drone regulations, I came across this Reddit post in r/drones from about seven years ago by u/NightAngel79. He shared an email from Willem Vrolijk at the Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCAA), explaining the drone authorization process and the information required to obtain permission to fly.

According to that email, drone operators need prior DCAA approval, and the application should include the drone model, purpose, maximum altitude, operator details, a local Aruba mobile number, operating locations, and dates and times.

The email also listed these contacts:

• Willem Vrolijk: willem.vrolijk@dca.gov.aw
• Anthony Kirchner: anthony.kirchner@dca.gov.aw

I've now emailed both contacts with my travel dates, DJI Air 3S details, serial number, and a list of potential locations around the island. I've asked whether one authorization can cover multiple locations throughout my stay, since I won't know exactly where I'll be flying each day.

I've also contacted Aruba Customs to clarify whether I need an import permit to temporarily bring my personal drone into the country. I'm currently waiting for replies from both DCAA and Customs.

My questions for anyone who has flown a drone in Aruba recently:

1. Are Willem Vrolijk and Anthony Kirchner still the correct contacts for recreational drone authorization, or has the process or responsible department changed?
2. Is the authorization process still handled by email, or is there now an official online application form?
3. Is a local Aruba mobile number still mandatory before authorization can be issued, or can you provide it after arriving?
4. Can one authorization cover multiple locations over a date range, or do you need to specify the exact location, date, and time for every flight?
5. Has anyone recently brought their own drone into Aruba temporarily for a holiday? Did you need an import permit or any additional paperwork from Customs?

I'm trying to get everything sorted out before travelling so I can follow the rules and avoid any surprises at the airport.

I'd really appreciate any recent experiences, advice, or official links. If you've gone through this process in 2025 or 2026, I'd especially love to hear how it worked for you!

Thanks in advance!

Note: I'll share an update here as soon as I hear back from DCAA or Aruba Customs, in case it helps anyone else planning to bring a drone to Aruba. Hopefully, we can get some up-to-date information on the current process!

I had three of the four drone arms broken, so instead of replacing the entire drone, I decided to try repairing it myself. I found a set of 4 original replacement arms for €81.39 including shipping to Germany and decided to give it a shot.

The replacement arms were the original parts, so the fit and appearance were exactly what I was hoping for. I had to completely open the drone, disconnect and transfer the wiring, remove the damaged arms, and install the new ones.

It took a bit of patience, especially with the disassembly and wiring, but everything went together nicely. The drone is now back in one piece and looks almost like new.

I actually mentioned this repair as a comment on someone else's post yesterday, and after seeing how well it turned out, I thought I'd make a post today in case it encourages someone else to try repairing their drone instead of giving up on it.

If you have a damaged drone and replacement parts are available, a DIY repair might be worth considering. There's something pretty satisfying about bringing it back to life yourself.