Air Operator's Certificate

An air operator's certificate (AOC) is the approval granted by a national aviation authority (NAA) to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and system in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the general public. The certificate will list the aircraft types and registrations to be used, for what purpose and in what area - specific airports or geographic region.

AOCs can be granted for one or more of the following activities:

Low capacity operations is when operating aircraft with under 38 passenger seats, high capacity is above that.

The requirements for obtaining an AOC vary from country to country, but are generally defined as:

An AOC is referred to as an Air Carrier Operating Certificate in the United States and as an Air Operator Certification in New Zealand.

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand's Part 119 establishes Air Operator Certification rules for Air Transport Operations (ATO) and Commercial Transport Operations (CTO). They provide two levels of certification: (a) AOC for air operations in all sizes of aircraft; (b) general aviation AOC for air operations in helicopters and aircraft with nine or less passenger seats

According to the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration is to maintain an airline air carrier's operating certificate in the category of fitness. An air carrier must maintain the following three standards: adequate financing, competent management, a willingness to comply with applicable laws and regulations. At least 75 percent of airlines controlling voting equity must be held by US citizens.

As an AOC shows the acceptance of the relevant NNA of the operators personnel, infrastructure and procedures, it holds value. In most jurisdiction an AOC may be sold or acquired to prevent the arduous process of gaining regulator acceptance for a new AOC. This can allow failed airlines to be sold as a going concern and then more easily changed into another business. This has occurred with FLYi airline's AOC being bought by Northwest Airlines to start Compass Airlines, now a feeder airline for Delta Air Lines marketed as Delta Connection, and also with Strategic Airlines purchasing the AOC, staff and routes of the failed OzJet airlines.

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