✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Verified codes to save on your next trip.
In this post we will review what the certification process is like for a new airline that seeks to start flying in Ecuador.
New airlines are in the certification process and a lot of media noise is generated.
In this way, se vieron muchos titulares de prensa que decían que la «aerolínea está próxima a despegar» o que en «semanas iniciarían operaciones», because the reality is different and very different from what is exposed.
In order for a new airline to start operations, it must first of all have the granting of an operating permit and subsequently an AOC or air operator certificate., process that can be complex and long depending on how well or not the company is organized for the different phases of the process.
as we have seen, there have been several airline projects that have remained on paper and have failed to take off throughout Ecuador's air history and in this sense, I have considered it important to explain to everyone what this process is like.
Certification process of a new airline
We are now going to expose the different stages or basic phases of a certification for an airline that is looking for a service 121, in the most precise and simple way for everyone to understand what it must be for an airline to start flying:
Paso 1
The first step, like any company, is to incorporate it under the Superintendency of Companies under Ecuadorian law, a process that takes a few 30 days with the characteristic is that the minimum share capital for a company that is defined as an activity transporting passengers and cargo by air is minimum $16.000.
Paso 2
Legally constituted complete the respective records such as the Mercantile Registry and the Internal Revenue Service.
Paso 3
Enter the procedure to obtain the operating permit before the Civil Aviation Council, for which the current Regulations will be complied with.
Paso 4
Once the request has been analyzed, the documentation and not have inconsistencies in the analysis of the secretary of the National Civil Aviation Council, the respective technical reports will be sent with the pertinent conclusions and recommendations process that can be taken 30 days.
Paso 5
Covered the raised observations if it is the case and sanitized oppositions presented, a unified report will be made and the Civil Aviation Council will take notice, analysis and decision to be favorable, the Resolution granting the Operating Permit of the requested service will be issued, a process that will take around 30 days.
Paso 6
Once the official notification of the Granting of the Operating Permit has been received, the company, within a period not exceeding 60 days after the notification has the obligation to initiate the Certification Process before the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of Ecuador.
Paso 7
The seventh step is to formally start the airline certification process., which is divided into 5 phases:
Phase 1 pre-application
With the possible anticipation of the projected start of the operation of the service granted, You must request the start of the airline certification process for which you cancel the respective rights and you will be summoned by the Aeronautical Authority to an Initial Orientation Meeting in which the general concepts of the Process to be developed will be discussed..
The Applicant will present the pertinent documentation such as forms according to the current regulation, the same one that can be taken 30 days.
Once the information presented by the CAA has been validated and accepted, it will issue the Phase termination.
Phase 2 Formal request
The Airline requesting the AOC, complying with current regulations, will compile and present all the information required by the AAC., The time it will take is the sole responsibility of the applicant, which should not exceed the 60 days of receiving the notification of having passed Phase I, documentation like:
- Event Schedule
- Declaration of Initial Compliance
- Final Statement of Compliance
- Administrative Structure and Qualification Summaries of Key Administrative Personnel according to Current Regulation.
- Detail of the Operational Safety Management System (SMS)
- Aerodromes and Areas of Operation
- Aircraft to be Operated
- Contracts and Letters of Intent
- Instructional Programs and Required Facilities
- Operations manual
Among other items of mandatory compliance, which demonstrates the complexity of the Phase considered one of the most critical in documentary matters..
The CAA, once compliance by the requesting Air Operator has been verified, will issue the Phase II Compliance Report., mentioned report does not constitute acceptance and/or approval of the manuals and documents received.
Phase 3 Documentation evaluation
Once the Phase II compliance report is received, The AAC begins the review of the manuals and documents presented in accordance with current regulations, in the aforementioned review by the assigned inspectors of the AAC is found to be satisfactory, they will be accepted and/or approved as appropriate..
The time that this phase takes will be approximately 60 days.
The AAC issues a favorable report on the end of Phase III.
Phase 4 Inspection and demonstration
Once the favorable report of Phase III has been received, the applicant airline for the AOC must comply with Phase four within 30 days calendars.
In this phase, the operator will demonstrate the execution of activities in compliance with the regulations and safe operation for which the CAA will evaluate the effectiveness of the policies., methods, procedures and instructions described in the manuals and documents put into practice.
Among the main events evaluated by the AAC are the following:
- Compliance Training Program
- Main Base Operations and Maintenance Facilities.
- Staff memories
- Flight Operations Control
- Maintenance Program Procedures
- Station Facilities
- Aircraft inspection and maintenance compliance records
- Emergency Evacuation Demonstration
- Ditching Demonstration
- Demonstration tests to assess the ability to operate independently, safe and in compliance with applicable regulations according to its RDAC certification 121 o RDAC 135.
Once Phase IV is concluded, the CAA will issue the favorable Phase completion report..
Phase 5 Certification
within the 15 days phase IV and once the applicant has demonstrated that he is fully capable of fulfilling the responsibilities as established by current laws and regulations, the Director of Civil Aviation will grant the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with the respective Specifications related to the operations (OpSpecs).
From this moment the airline holding the AOC can carry out the commercial exploitation of the requested service..
As we can see, el proceso «normal» aproximadamente toma desde los 8 months on, This time is clearly dependent on the progress of each of the stages and phases..
✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Search here for hotels ALL over the world at the best price.
What happened to Ecuadorian Airlines? ?
The last thing that was known is that they were with their process suspended.
What happened to Ecuadorian Airlines??
For now, there has been no new news.
In theory, these terms can be shorter if the documentation is duly presented and the DAC does not put obstacles to delay the process.
The collaboration of the DAC is necessary in order to encourage the development of private commercial civil aviation, fumigation, schools, etc.
In the years there has never been such collaboration but rather obstacles of various kinds to delay permits
Thanks for your comment.
Hi Nicolas. excellent post. I want to ask you if you have an estimate of the cost involved in this entire process for certification 135 like air taxi.
hi edwin, depends on several factors, I can help you about it: [email protected]