THE REGISTRY OF ARUBA

GUIDE FOR COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION
AUA-OPS 1
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Commercial Operations, whether for passengers or cargo, may only be conducted if the operator has been issued and maintains, an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba (DCA).
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The purpose of an AOC is to certify that the holder is qualified by the DCA to safely operate that aircraft in conformance with applicable regulations. The DCA, in addition to assessing the ability and competence of the applicant, will also endeavor to guide the applicant in organizational and procedural matters which will result in a safety operations.
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The DCA will only issue an AOC to an operator that has its principal place of business in Aruba in compliance with ICAO requirements and once they are satisfied that the applicant is competent to safely operate the types of aircraft specified in the certificate, on flights and for the purposes described.


AOC Phases
The procedure for the application and granting of an AOC by the DCA will be organized in phases and will take the following sequence:
1) Pre-application Phase
1b) Economical Authority Application & Assessment Phase
2) Formal Application Phase
3) Document Evaluation Phase
4) Demonstration & Inspection Phase
5) Certification Phase
01
Pre-application Phase
The pre-application phase for obtaining an AOC is the initial stage in the regulatory process where a prospective operator formally indicates its intent to apply for an AOC. This phase involves preliminary discussions and consultations with the DCA to ensure that the applicant understands the regulatory requirements and expectations. It is essential that the applicant has, in this pre-application phase, a clear understanding of the form, content and documents required for the formal application. Key activities in this phase include:
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Preliminary Consultation: The applicant meets with the DCA and The Registry of Aruba to clarify the certification process, required documentation, operation specifications and limitations, management structure and personnel qualifications, schedule of events, and compliance standards.
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Application Intent: The applicant expresses its intent to apply for an AOC, outlining its operational goals, proposed services, and scope of operation.
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Submission of Basic Information: The applicant will need to provide initial information about the organization, such as its business structure, key personnel, financial capacity, and intended operations (e.g., types of aircraft, routes, and services).
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Regulatory Guidance: The DCA and The Registry of Aruba provide guidance on the regulatory framework, including safety standards, operational procedures, maintenance requirements, and other compliance issues. The requirements and conditions set for acquiring an Economical Authority will be explained.
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​DCA Qualification Assessment: During this phase, the DCA evaluates whether the operator is sufficiently qualified to proceed with the full application process. This assessment considers the operator’s organizational structure, financial stability, technical competence, and ability to meet ongoing regulatory and safety requirements necessary to maintain an AOC.
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Pre-Application Form: Submit Form INS-8.004.
The goal of the pre-application phase is to ensure that both the applicant and the regulator are aligned on the expectations, reducing the risk of delays or misunderstandings later in the certification process.
01b
Economical Authority Application & Assessment Phase
In this phase, applicants will formally apply for an Economical Authority using Form INS 8.005. Applications should be submitted at least 120 days before the intended start of operations (earlier is preferred).
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What Needs to Submitted:
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Submit Form INS-8.005: Complete the form and include a business plan with the following attachments:
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Company Establishment Document
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Establishment permission (“vestigingsvergunning”).
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Articles of incorporation, memorandum, certificate of good standing, and Chamber of Commerce extract.
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Statutes of incorporation.
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Ownership Details
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​List of shareholders (up to the ultimate beneficial owner) and copies of passports.
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Shareholder nationality statement (include ownership percentage and funding sources).
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Organization chart showing the company structure, including mother/sister companies.
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Financial Information
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​First-year financial projections (revenues, operating expenses).
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Bank credit reference letter and proof of financial capability (e.g., bank statements).
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Evidence of meeting financial obligations for 24 months (for larger aircraft).
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Additional Documents:
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Business license or proof of application.
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Timetable (if operating scheduled services).
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CV of the company president.
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Criminal record checks for owners and post holders.​
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Key Areas of Interest for the DCA in Your Business Plan:
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​Prospective Operator’s Aviation Statement (POAS)
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Investment and reserve schedules.
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Projected revenues and break-event point.
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Route forecasts and yields.
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Initial capital and cash availability.
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Next Steps - Formal Meeting:
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After Reviewing your submission, the DCA will schedule a formal meeting to:
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Verify your application, POAS, business plan, and documents.
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Discuss timelines for certification.
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Explain requirements for post holders, Aruban residency, and quality expectations.​​
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Once your application and supporting documents are approved, the DCA will arrange the issuance of the Economical Authority.
02
Formal Application Phase
This phase involves the submission of the formal AOC application and supporting documents. It is recommended that this application be submitted well in advance, typically 90 days before the proposed start date.​
Key Steps:
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Submit Form INS-2.008: This is the formal application form for the AOC.
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Attach Documentation:
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Operations and Maintenance Manuals: Detailed manuals that outline the operator’s policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
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Crew and Ground Personnel Training: Training programs for flight and ground crews, including emergency response and operational procedures.
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Aircraft Documentation: Proof of ownership or lease, along with technical specifications and maintenance records.
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Compliance Statements: Statements demonstrating the operator’s adherence to Aruba’s civil aviation regulations.
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AOC Application Meeting:
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Meeting with DCA: The purpose of this meeting is to discuss any deficiencies in the application and resolve them. The operator’s key personnel should attend this meeting to ensure smooth communication with the DCA.
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03
Document Evaluation Phase
After submitting the formal application, the DCA conducts a thorough review of all submitted documents and manuals to ensure compliance with Aruba's aviation regulations.
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Key Documents Reviewed:
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Operations Manuals: Must include procedures on flight operations, safety management, maintenance, and crew training.
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Safety Management System (SMS): Documentation outlining how the operator will manage risks and maintain safety standards.
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Aircraft Maintenance Plan: A detailed plan outlining how the operator will ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft.
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Key Focus Areas:
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Compliance: All documents must adhere to national and international aviation standards.
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Quality of Documentation: Manuals must be comprehensive, easy to navigate, and clearly outline responsibilities and procedures.
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Revisions: If any documents are incomplete or non-compliant, they will be returned for revision.
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04
Demonstration & Inspection Phase
This phase involves on-site inspections and flight demonstrations to ensure the operator can safely conduct commercial air operations.
Key Areas of Inspection:
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Organization & Management: The DCA will evaluate the effectiveness of the operator’s management structure and its ability to maintain control over operations.
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Ground Operations: Inspections of the operator’s ground facilities, equipment, and personnel to ensure they are suitable for the proposed operations.
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Flight Operations: The operator will conduct demonstration flights to showcase operational safety and adherence to procedures. These flights will be observed by DCA inspectors.
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Emergency Response: A demonstration of the operator’s emergency evacuation and response procedures.
Inspection Deliverables:
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Flight Operations Manuals: Must cover all aspects of flight crew management, from training to in-flight operations.
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Emergency Evacuation Plans: A plan for ensuring passenger safety during emergencies.
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Proving Flights: A series of test flights demonstrating operational readiness and safety compliance.
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05
AOC Certification Phase
After successful completion of the document evaluation and inspection phases, the DCA will issue the **Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which allows the operator to begin commercial air transport operations.
Key Components:
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AOC Issuance: The certificate is issued along with operational specifications that outline the types of operations allowed and any limitations.
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Operations Specifications: These include:
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The aircraft types approved for use.
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Authorized routes and destinations.
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Any operational limitations or conditions.
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Post-Certification:
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Ongoing Compliance: Operators are required to maintain compliance with DCA regulations.
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The DCA will conduct periodic inspections to ensure continued adherence to safety and operational standards.
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Additional Requirements
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1. Principal Place of Business (PPOB): The operator must have a physical office in Aruba where key management, financial, and operational functions are controlled. The office must be permanently staffed during business hours, and all key personnel (accountable manager, nominated post holders) should be accessible from this location.
2. Qualified Personnel: All management and operational staff must meet the qualifications set out by the DCA. The applicant must submit detailed CVs for key personnel early in the process to avoid delays.
3. Financial Viability: Evidence of financial stability is crucial, including sufficient capital to cover operational costs for the first year. This includes costs for aircraft leases, maintenance, and staff wages.
4. Safety & Quality Assurance: Operators must implement a robust Safety Management System (SMS) and a Quality Assurance Program to monitor and maintain compliance with safety regulations. Larger operators must have a dedicated quality manager based in Aruba.