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What exactly is an AOC?
An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is an official license issued by a national aviation authority. It authorizes a company to operate aircraft commercially — for example by offering charter flights or managing aircraft on behalf of owners.
To obtain an AOC, numerous requirements must be met: from safety and maintenance documentation to operational manuals and personnel qualifications. An AOC therefore always stands for reliability, safety, and professionalism.
Why San Marino as a location?
San Marino is an attractive location for registering and operating business aircraft. Its aviation authority, SM-CAA, offers efficient procedures and an internationally recognized T7 registration known for reliability and legal certainty. With this AOC, DC Aviation San Marino is now able to operate and manage third-party aircraft, including charter flights. This significantly expands the options available to our clients — especially for aircraft owners who value tailored operational structures.
What does this mean for our customers?
For aircraft owners, choosing the right country of registration is an important decision — both from an operational and legal perspective. With the option to operate aircraft under the T7 registration, clients now have an additional alternative they can choose based on their individual needs. This enhancement provides even greater operational flexibility and gives owners additional options when selecting the most suitable state of registration.
Every aircraft is registered in a specific country — recognizable by its prefix: D- stands for Germany, 9H- for Malta, A6- for the UAE, and T7- for San Marino.
The country of registration determines:
which authority is responsible for oversight and regulation,
which requirements apply to maintenance, operations, and crew,
and which tax and legal obligations arise.
With the introduction of the T7 registration, DC Aviation Group now offers its clients another internationally recognized option that integrates seamlessly into the existing network. For VIP clients especially — those who value bespoke solutions, maximum discretion, and flexibility — this represents a clear added benefit.
Safety, quality and operational flexibility
When evaluating an AOC, our primary focus is on operational agility and readiness, enabling us to address the individual needs of our customers in the best possible way.
Regardless of the AOC under which an aircraft operated by the DC Aviation Group is registered, the same high internal standards apply — standards that go far beyond regulatory requirements.
In practice, this means:
Strict adherence to all flight duty and rest time regulations
Centralized flight planning for the entire fleet via our 24/7 Operations Control Center in Stuttgart — including crew training and scheduling
Maintenance at the highest level through our own CAMO and Part-145 organizations in Stuttgart, Munich, and Dubai
We offer our customers tailored solutions without compromising on safety, quality, or accountability. Investing in the highest safety and quality standards has always been a core part of the DC Aviation Group’s mission.
A valuable addition to the global network
With the AOC in San Marino, DC Aviation expands its international network, which now includes locations in Stuttgart, Dubai, Malta, Munich, Nice, and San Marino. Each of these locations serves a defined purpose — together forming a strong foundation for tailored solutions in business aviation. The introduction of the T7 registration stands for greater flexibility, international reach, and customer proximity. It is a logical step in the continued development of our global offering and yet another example of how we enable our clients to operate their aircraft exactly in line with their individual needs.
