Private and AOC operations
Private and AOC operations across every register we track for aircraft.
What is meant by private and AOC operations?
How the authority distinguishes private flights from commercial operations flown under an air operator certificate.
Why does private and AOC operations matter when choosing a register?
The distinction drives crew rules, maintenance obligations and tax treatment, and the authority judges it by how the aircraft is used rather than by how it is described.
Every register for aircraft, side by side
Where a register has not published an answer, none is shown, and where the only figure available is an estimate, it is labeled as one.
| Register | Answer |
|---|---|
| ArubaThe Registry of Aruba | Private aircraft fly under AUA-OPS 2; commercial work needs an Aruba AOC or an Article 83 bis agreement.The Registry of Aruba, 'Registration Framework' (Documents / Registration / Registration Framework)theregistryofaruba.comRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| BermudaBermuda Aircraft Registry | Private flying needs a non-commercial approval; a Bermuda AOC needs a place of business in Bermuda and about three operators hold one, with no published streamlined route.Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, Private Aircraft Operations (NCC)www.bcaa.bmRetrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Cayman IslandsCayman Islands Aircraft Registry | Private aircraft register under Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR) Part 125; flying for hire or reward needs an Air Operator Certificate under OTAR Part 121 or 135.Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Aircraft Registration Process (page last modified 2025-06-06)www.caacayman.comRetrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| GuernseyGuernsey Aircraft Registry | Private complex operations need a Private Operator Certificate, valid three years; commercial air transport needs an AOC.2-REG (Guernsey Aircraft Registry), Private Operator Certificatewww.2-reg.comRetrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Isle of ManIsle of Man Aircraft Registry | Only private, corporate and aerial work operations are permitted; commercial air transport is not.Isle of Man Aircraft Registry (Civil Aviation Administration, Isle of Man Government), 'Register an Aircraft', Ground Ruleswww.iomaircraftregistry.comRetrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MaltaMalta Aircraft Register | Aircraft providing air services need 50 percent EU ownership and control; approved-jurisdiction registrants may register private aircraft only, and private operators of complex aircraft file a Part-NCC declaration with Transport Malta.Aircraft Registration Act (Cap. 503, Laws of Malta), consolidated text in force as at 01/01/2024, legislation.mt (Office of the State Advocate)legislation.mt · art. 6(1)(c)Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| San MarinoSan Marino Aircraft Registry | Private, corporate, aerial work and commercial air transport are all permitted, the last on an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or Article 83bis.Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of San Marino, CAP 01 | Registration of Aircraft (body pages Revision 25, 01 May 2026; Appendix 1 Revision 26, 01 August 2026)www.smar.aero · §2.1Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-05-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Where to go next
This item is one of many that bear on the choice. Set it beside the rest before you choose a register, and tell us if a register you need is not covered yet.