Air Operator Certificate (AOC) - CAA

2.1 General
AOC GUIDE – COMMERCIAL AIR OPERATIONS (PCAAD-617)
Chapter 2
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR
AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE
2.1.1 “AOC Guide for Commercial Air Operations” has been prepared with an aim to bring
regulatory requirements/documents pertaining to Commercial Air Operations (Regular
Public Transport, Aerial Work, Charter) and Flying Schools under one publication. This
will facilitate an aspirant of an AOC to know the detailed requirements for the initial issue,
renewal and continued life of an AOC.
2.1.2 Air Operator Certificates (AOC): A certificate issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation
Authority which shall authorize the holder to engage in Commercial Flight Operations
within the conditions and limitations of that certificate, provided that he/she has also
been granted a licence for such operations by the Federal Government.
2.1.3 Commercial Air Operations is categorized into three areas of operations i.e. Regular
Public Transport (Airlines), Charter and Aerial Work. Possession of an AOC is a
Regulatory requirement for all these types of Operations. Civil Aviation Rules 1994
Part-XI Rule 188 is quoted for reference which states that:
“An Air Operator Certificate issued under this Part shall be:
(a) an “Air Operator Certificate - Airline” which shall authorise the holder to engage
in regular public transport operations within the conditions and limitations of
that certificate, provided that he/she has also been granted a licence for such
operations by the Federal Government;
(b) an “Air Operator Certificate - Charter” which shall authorise the holder to
engage in charter operations within the conditions and limitations of that
certificate, provided that in the case of international charter operations, and of
charter operations by aircraft with a maximum permissible take-off mass greater
than 5,700 Kgs, he/she has also been granted a licence for such operations by
the Federal Government; or
(c) an “Air Operator Certificate-Aerial work” which shall authorise the holder to
engage in aerial work operations within the conditions and limitations, of that
certificate, provided that in the case of international aerial work he/she has also
been granted a licence by the Federal Government.”
2.2 Regulatory Requirement to hold an AOC
2.2.1 While the Operator’s license answers the questions as to whether or not the proposed
service is authorized from an economic standpoint; the attachment (Terms and
Conditions) to the license requires the operator to have a valid AOC prior to
commencement of the type of operations applied for.
2.2.2 The requirement to hold an AOC is provided under:
a) Rule-186 of CARs 1994 which states that "an aircraft shall not fly for the purpose
of regular public transport; charter; or aerial work; unless the operator of that
aircraft holds an Air Operator Certificate issued by the Director General".
b) Rule 52 of CARs states that “a person or an organisation shall not give, or offer
to give, instruction for the purpose of qualifying a candidate for the issue of a
flight crew licence, or the endorsement of a rating thereon, under Part V, unless
that person, or organisation, holds an appropriate licence and Air Operator
Certificate granted by the Director General”.
c) Air Navigation Order No. 91-0001 and 91-0024, also provide the detailed
requirements for issuance, renewal and continued validity of AOC.
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