What is an AOC and why does it matter for charter flights?
The AOC (Air Operator Certificate) is the national approval that lets an operator carry passengers for payment. Without an AOC, no paid flight is legal. It is issued by the authority of the State where the operator has its principal place of business — the DGAC in France, under the EASA framework — and requires an operations manual, crew minima, a maintenance programme and regular audits.
Broker, operator and AOC
A broker finds and negotiates the aircraft; the operator flies it. It is the operator’s AOC, not the broker’s name, that carries responsibility for the flight. The useful first question about any offer is therefore: which operator, and which AOC number?
Beyond the AOC: audits
The AOC is the legal minimum. Independent ARGUS and Wyvern audits go further: safety history, pilot training, risk management. We work only with ARGUS Gold or Wyvern Wingman operators, IS-BAO Stage 2 or above.
The numbers, route by route
| Route | Category | Passengers | Flight | Estimate (one-way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris → Nice690 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 1h 12 | €3,000–4,000* |
| Paris → Geneva410 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 48 min | €2,000–2,500* |
| Paris → London370 km | Light jet | up to 7 | 48 min | €2,000–2,500* |
| London → Nice1,030 km | Midsize jet | up to 9 | 1h 36 | €6,000–7,000* |
Computed estimates: great-circle distance × 1.05, time at manufacturer cruise + 0.3 h taxi, published broker hourly rates (Paramount Business Jets), converted at the ECB rate. The firm price depends on aircraft positioning, fees and date.
* Flight under two hours: most operators bill a two-hour minimum per day of use, so the real price is above the computed estimate.