Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Regulatory and Legal Framework

• Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan №339-IV dated 15 July 2010 «On the Use of the Airspace of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Aviation Activities» https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z100000339_
• Order of the Acting Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 10 November 2015 №1061 «On Approval of the Rules for Certification and Issuance of an Air Operator Certificate for Civil Aircraft» https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500012452
• Order of the Acting Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 24 February 2015 №153 «On Approval of Certification Requirements for Civil Aircraft Operators» https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500011459

Key Steps

• Registration of a legal entity in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Establishment of the organizational structure and appointment of accountable managers.
• Preparation of aircraft, personnel, and operator manuals.
• Stage 1 – Pre-Application Stage Submission of a Letter of Intent to Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC.
• Stage 2 – Application Submission Stage Submission of the application for an Air Operator Certificate via the e-Government portal.
• Stage 3 – Documentation Review Stage Review of documents and manuals submitted with the application.
• Stage 4 – Demonstration and Inspection Stage Certification inspection, including inspection of the applicant’s office and all departments, inspection of the applicant’s aircraft, demonstration flights, and demonstration of passenger emergency evacuation during a forced water landing (if applicable).
• Stage 5 – AOC Issuance Stage Receipt of the Air Operator Certificate.

General Requirements

• A legal entity registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Aircraft with valid Certificates of Airworthiness.
• Flight, technical, and management personnel.
• Safety Management System (SMS).
• Operator manuals (flight operations, maintenance, aviation security, etc.).
• Financial resources sufficient to commence operations.

Step 1. Preliminary Preparation (Before Application Submission)

The operator shall:

• be registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• have sufficient financial resources to sustain operations for at least three months without revenue;
• determine the types of planned commercial air transport / aviation activities;
• establish the organizational structure and departments;
• ensure availability of aircraft with valid Certificates of Airworthiness;
• implement a Safety Management System (SMS), where applicable.

Step 2. Establishment of Organizational Structure and Personnel

The operator appoints and/or designates accountable persons responsible for:

• flight operations;
• flight safety;
• continuing airworthiness;
• aviation personnel training;
• ground handling;
• quality assurance;
• aviation security;
• cabin crew services (if applicable).

Candidates for key management positions (flight operations, flight safety, continuing airworthiness, personnel training, ground handling, and quality) are subject to approval by the authorized organization. The candidates for the Accountable Manager and the Head of Aviation Security are approved separately.

Step 3. Development of Operational and Regulatory Documentation

The following manuals and documents are prepared and approved (depending on aircraft type and scope of activity):

• Operations Manual;
• Safety Management Manual;
• Quality Manual;
• Continuing Airworthiness Management Manual;
• Aircraft Maintenance Programme;
• Operator Aviation Security Programme.

Approval and acceptance cover pages are included in the documentation package.

Step 4. Preparation of Contracts and Supporting Processes

The operator ensures, independently or through contractual arrangements:

• maintenance and repair services;
• medical examinations of personnel;
• meteorological and air navigation services;
• training and recurrent training of personnel;
• ground handling, fuel supply, and rescue and firefighting services (where applicable).

Responsibility for the quality of services provided under contracts remains fully with the operator.

Step 5. Preparation of the Documentation Package

An electronic package is formed, including:

1. General information and founders of the applicant;
2. types of planned commercial air transport / aviation activities;
3. organization of flight operations;
4. continuing airworthiness management system;
5. flight support arrangements;
6. readiness of flight and technical personnel;
7. readiness of maintenance facilities;
8. readiness of aircraft;
9. plan for demonstration flights and emergency evacuation demonstration;
10. list of aircraft indicating type, model, series, nationality and registration marks;
11. aviation personnel details;
12. ground support arrangements;
13. list of maintenance contracts with external organizations indicating scope of work.

Step 6. Application Submission

The application is submitted electronically via www.egov.kz and certified with the applicant’s digital signature.

Link:

https://elicense.kz/LicensingContent/Passport?servicesTyp...

Information on state registration of the legal entity and personal identification documents is obtained automatically by the authorized organization via the e-Government gateway.

Step 7. Documentation Assessment

The authorized organization:

• verifies completeness and correctness of the documentation;
• makes a decision on admission to certification inspection.

Step 8. Certification Inspection

An assessment of the operator’s actual readiness is conducted, including:

• personnel;
• aircraft;
• facilities and processes;
• demonstration flights and emergency evacuation (if applicable).

Based on the results, an Inspection Report is prepared and submitted to the applicant. If Level 1 findings are identified, a decision is made to refuse issuance of the Air Operator Certificate. If Level 2 findings are identified, the applicant shall submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC within 10 calendar days.

Step 9. Decision-Making and Issuance of the Certificate

Based on the inspection results, a decision is made on:

• issuance of the Air Operator Certificate; or
• a reasoned refusal.

The overall timeframe for provision of the public service is up to 64 working days from the date of application submission.

Validity Period of the Certificate

• The certificate is issued for a period of 3 years;
• The certificate is non-transferable.

Amendments

Amendments to the certificate and Operations Specifications are made:

• upon application of the operator; or
• based on inspection results of the authorized organization.

Special Operating Approvals

After issuance of the Air Operator Certificate, the operator may apply for Special Operating Approvals authorizing specific types of operations.

Special Operating Approvals are issued in accordance with Order of the Acting Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 30 April 2015 No. 509

Suspension and Revocation of the Certificate

The certificate may be:

• suspended — in case of violations of certification requirements;
• revoked — in cases of document falsification, unlawful use, court-ordered prohibition of activities, or other grounds established by the Rules.

Appeals

Decisions and actions of the authorized organization may be appealed:

• through administrative (pre-trial) procedures; or
• through judicial proceedings after completion of the pre-trial procedure.

Note

The Air Operator Certificate is a mandatory document for:

• conducting commercial air transport operations;
• participation in tenders for international air routes;
• further expansion of an airline’s activities.