Air Operators Certification

Air operators
certification & oversight

Dedicated to the certification, surveillance, and operational oversight of both national and foreign air operators to ensure global safety compliance.

Institutional oversight

Headed by a Director exercising direct authority over assigned staff, this Directorate ensures that every air operator complies with national law and international ICAO standards for flight safety.

Core certification

  • Process, review and record applications for air operator certificates (AOC).

  • Issue and review of air operator certificates and associated operations specifications.

  • Issue and review certification of general aviation operations.

  • Issue and review of flight simulator and other training devices approvals.

  • Assist personnel licensing (PEL) department in the certification of operations personnel.

Operational approvals

  • Issue specific authorizations: EDTO, PBN, RNP, RVSM, AWOP, MNPS, RNAV and dangerous goods.

  • Approval of crew member and dispatcher training programs.

  • Issue and review approvals of check airmen and instructors.

  • Monitoring and approving amendments to operator procedures and manuals.

Surveillance & safety

  • Conduct periodic surveillance of flight operations facilities, procedures, and activities.

  • Regular surveillance of foreign operators and coordination with the state of operator.

  • Provision for loan of staff experts to assist in aircraft accident investigations.

  • Investigate possible violations of national air law, rules, and standards.

Policy & coordination

  • Monitor ICAO website for any revisions regarding annexes and ICAO documents.

  • Confer with other national authorities on matters relating to aircraft operations.

  • Prepare and distribute public documents and directives related to aircraft operations.

  • Support legal or other corrective actions regarding operational violations.

Safety monitoring

Continuous ICAO monitoring

"The directorate maintains an unwavering commitment to safety by continuously monitoring international standards and annexes via the ICAO portal, ensuring Ethiopian aviation remains at the global peak of compliance."