AOC (Air Operator's Certificate) is a document that authorizes an entity to conduct passenger and/or cargo air transportation operations. For entities registered in Poland, the document is issued by the Civil Aviation Authority located in Warsaw.

Entities intending to carry out passenger and/or cargo air transportation are required to undergo a certification process before the relevant Civil Aviation Authority in the country where the entity is registered. Obtaining an AOC certificate confirms the entity's ability to perform flights safely, i.e., in accordance with applicable regulations, standards, and procedures. The process of obtaining such a certificate is complex and time-consuming. It involves verification of various areas of the entity's functioning, such as management skills and capabilities, employee qualifications and training, including pilots, aircraft technical condition checks, and many other fields. Furthermore, having an AOC certificate from the relevant aviation authority entails a duty to continuously monitor the entity by the aviation surveillance, and the entity commits to maintaining the legally required standards in a sustainable and continuous manner at all times.

First and foremost, you should obtain such information from the organizer of your flight. Request a copy of the AOC certificate or search for it on their website. Further verification can be done by contacting the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the country in which the entity is registered. You can get assistance in this regard by contacting the Civil Aviation Authority at +48 22 520 72 00.

The AOC certificate should be presented by any entity wishing to perform a paid flight with passengers on board, regardless of whether it is an airplane, helicopter, or balloon flight. The AOC certificate guarantees the maintenance of safety standards and compliance with specific, restrictive regulations. Its possession directly translates into your safety, which is why, regardless of whether you want to take a sightseeing flight or a business trip, you should only cooperate with certified entities.