Air operator's certificate
Approval from a civil aviation authority for commercial air transport.
An air operator's certificate (AOC) is a permit from a civil aviation authority that lets an operator use aircraft for commercial air transport. To get one, the operator must have the right staff, equipment, and systems to protect both employees and the public. The certificate specifies which aircraft types and individual registration numbers are approved, what the aircraft can be used for, and where the operator can fly—such as particular airports or regions.
AOCs can cover various activities: aerial advertising, photography, spotting, and surveying; air ambulance services; charter flights (both low and high capacity); firefighting; flight training; and regular public transport (also low and high capacity). Low capacity means aircraft with fewer than 38 passenger seats; high capacity means more than 38 seats.
Requirements differ by country but generally include: enough experienced personnel for the requested operations; airworthy aircraft suited to those operations; acceptable systems for crew training and aircraft operation (an Operations Manual); a quality system to ensure all regulations are followed; appointment of key staff responsible for safety-critical functions like training, maintenance, and operations; sufficient liability insurance to cover passenger injury or death; proof of adequate finances; and enough ground infrastructure—or arrangements for it—to support operations at the intended ports. The certificate must be held by a legal person living in the country or region of application (for EASA).
Names vary internationally. In the United States, it is called an Air Carrier Operating Certificate; in New Zealand, an Air Operator Certification.
In New Zealand, Part 119 of the Civil Aviation Authority’s rules covers Air Operator Certification for Air Transport Operations and Commercial Transport Operations. Two levels exist: a standard AOC for all aircraft sizes, and a general aviation AOC for helicopters and aircraft with nine or fewer passenger seats.
In the United States, operating an airline requires two certifications: an economic certificate from the Department of Transportation and an operational or safety certificate from the FAA. The FAA maintains the air carrier’s operating certificate in the category of fitness.
- Low capacity seats
- under 38 passenger seats
- High capacity seats
- greater than 38 seats
- Us economic certification authority
- Department of Transportation
- Us operational certification authority
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Us citizen voting equity requirement
- at least 75 percent
- New zealand certification levels
- two: AOC for all sizes of aircraft; general aviation AOC for helicopters and aircraft with nine or less passenger seats
Lore & Background
An AOC can be granted for activities including aerial advertising, aerial photography, aerial spotting, aerial surveying, air ambulance, charter (low capacity and high capacity), firefighting, flight training, and regular public transport (low capacity and high capacity). Low capacity operations involve aircraft with under 38 passenger seats, while high capacity involves greater than 38 seats. Requirements for obtaining an AOC vary by country but generally include sufficient experienced personnel, airworthy aircraft, an operations manual, a quality system, appointment of key accountable staff, carriers liability insurance, proof of sufficient finances, and sufficient ground infrastructure. The certificate must be held by a legal person residing in the country or region of application (for EASA).
Internationally, the AOC is referred to as an Air Carrier Operating Certificate in the United States and as an Air Operator Certification in New Zealand. In New Zealand, Part 119 establishes rules for Air Transport Operations and Commercial Transport Operations, providing two levels of certification. In the United States, two certifications are required: economic certification from the Department of Transportation and operational/safety certification from the FAA. The FAA maintains an airline air carrier's operating certificate in the category of fitness, requiring adequate financing, competent management, and a willingness to comply with laws. At least 75 percent of voting equity must be held by US citizens.
Reader's Guide
The air operator's certificate is significant because it represents a civil aviation authority's formal acceptance that an operator's personnel, infrastructure, and procedures meet safety standards for commercial air transport. Its value is demonstrated by the fact that in most jurisdictions an AOC may be sold or acquired to avoid the arduous process of gaining regulator acceptance for a new certificate. This transferability allows a failed airline to be sold as a going concern and then changed into another business. For example, Northwest Airlines bought FLYi airline's AOC to start Compass Airlines, a feeder airline for Delta Air Lines marketed as Delta Connection. Similarly, Air Australia purchased the AOC, staff, and routes of the failed OzJet airlines. The certificate's legacy lies in its role as a regulatory cornerstone that both ensures operational safety and creates a marketable asset that can facilitate the continuation or transformation of airline operations.
Did You Know?
- An AOC lists approved aircraft types, each registration number, the approved flying purpose, and the operating area.
- In the United States, an AOC is called an Air Carrier Operating Certificate.
- At least 75 percent of an airline's controlling voting equity must be held by US citizens for FAA certification.
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