Air operator certificate (AOC).
An air operator certificate (AOC) is the approval issued by a national aviation authority that permits an operator to conduct commercial air transport with specified aircraft. EASA describes an AOC as a certificate that allows an operator to perform specific operations of commercial air transport. In the United States, the counterpart is an air carrier certificate issued under Part 119.
| Term | Air operator certificate (AOC) |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | Aircraft operator, EASA, UK CAA, FAA Part 135 |
| Sources | 2 listed below |
What does Air operator certificate (AOC) mean in practice?
The AOC is the single document that separates a legal charter from an illegal one.
Holding one means the operator has shown the regulator that its aircraft, crew training, maintenance, manuals and management meet commercial standards, and that it is subject to ongoing oversight. A private owner flying under non-commercial rules cannot sell seats or flights to the public. Before booking, ask your broker for the operator's name and AOC number, and check that the specific aircraft is listed on that certificate. In the EU, operators are certified by their national authority under Regulation (EU) 965/2012. In the UK, the CAA issues UK AOCs. In the United States, the FAA issues certificates under Part 119 for operations under Part 135. An AOC does not guarantee service quality, and it does not by itself tell you anything about the operator's safety record. Audit ratings address that separately.
Questions
What does Air operator certificate (AOC) mean?
An air operator certificate (AOC) is the approval issued by a national aviation authority that permits an operator to conduct commercial air transport with specified aircraft. EASA describes an AOC as a certificate that allows an operator to perform specific operations of commercial air transport. In the United States, the counterpart is an air carrier certificate issued under Part 119.
Sources
- EASA: Air operator certificate (AOC) (accessed 2026-09-20)
- 14 CFR 135.1 Applicability (Cornell LII) (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.