Our
Locations
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World HQ
6700 Côte de Liesse, suite 206,
+1 514 636-1099
Montréal, Canada,
H4T 2B5 -
Ireland
Suite 3230, Building 3000, Westpark Business Campus, Shannon, Clare, V14 AN29
+353 61 475 802 -
San Marino
World Trade Center, Via Consiglio dei Sessanta,
+39 0549 942-551
99, 47891 Dogana, San Marino
Private Jet Operator: Direct AOC Charter
As a direct private jet operator, ACASS holds its own Air Operator Certificate and takes responsibility for the flights it operates. We are a consultant-led operator, not an intermediary.
What a Direct Private Jet Operator Is
A direct private jet operator holds the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and is responsible for flight operations, crew, maintenance, and safety compliance. A charter intermediary arranges flights but does not operate aircraft. ACASS operates aircraft under its own certificates, which keeps accountability in one place. That clarity matters when you are deciding who will fly you.
Direct AOC Operator Versus Charter Intermediary
An intermediary sources and books a trip, while a direct AOC operator flies you and answers for the flight.
| Criteria | Direct AOC operator | Charter intermediary |
|---|---|---|
| Holds the AOC | Yes | No |
| Operates the aircraft | Yes | No |
| Answers for the flight | The operator itself | The operator it selects |
Fewer parties in the chain means clearer accountability and consistent standards. ACASS takes a consultative, relationship-first approach rather than a transactional one.
What the Air Operator Certificate Guarantees
The Air Operator Certificate (AOC), not branding, defines who is legally responsible for a flight and which regulator supervises it. ACASS holds Canadian, Irish, and San Marino AOCs, which give us multi-jurisdiction operating authority. Each certificate is a distinct authorization, and each AOC holder is accountable to its own authority, so regulator oversight follows the company that actually operates your flight. That is the assurance a certificate provides, and it is why ACASS flies under its own.
ACASS AOCs Across Canada, Ireland and San Marino
As a direct AOC operator, ACASS holds three distinct certificates: Canadian since 2004, San Marino since 2015, and Irish since 2020. Together, the Canadian AOC, San Marino AOC, and Irish AOC support flexible, compliant operations across regions and borders. With experience in 56 countries and 30+ years of operating history since 1994, we bring global reach to every private jet charter in Canada we operate, backed by the same safety and service standards on every flight.
How to Verify Who Is Actually Flying You
Before you fly, verification starts with three simple questions about who operates your flight. Who is the AOC holder? Who employs the crew? Who signs for maintenance? Then check that the certificate matches the company you are contracting with, because safety depends on clear accountability. With ACASS, the answer is direct: we operate the flight ourselves, as a private jet charter operator accountable for every step, from crew selection to maintenance sign-off.
Safety Standards and Certifications Behind Every Flight
ACASS holds IS-BAO Stage 3, awarded in 2017, and ARGUS Gold, awarded in 2013. Both are independently audited standards, so you can verify them. A formal Safety Management System (SMS) governs every flight we operate. Operational accountability is underpinned by $300M in insurance coverage.
Direct AOC Operator Charter Across Our Fleet
As a private jet charter operator, ACASS offers two ways to fly: On Demand for a single trip, or an ongoing Charter Account for frequent travelers. ACASS operates aircraft under its certificates, with consistent crew and service standards across the fleet. Every aircraft in the ACASS charter fleet is matched to your itinerary by a specialist, so passenger count, route, and cabin needs shape the choice, and the experience stays consistent from one trip to the next.
Frequently asked questions
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The operator holds the AOC and flies you. The intermediary arranges and books the trip but operates no aircraft. Accountability for crew, maintenance, and safety compliance sits with the operator, so knowing which one you are dealing with tells you who answers for the flight. ACASS is a direct operator, flying under its own certificates, with accountability that never passes to anyone else.
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The AOC holder operating the flight carries legal and safety responsibility under its certificate. That is why it is worth verifying that the certificate matches the company named in your agreement. Responsibility is clearest when the company you contract with is also the one operating the aircraft. Asking to see the certificate before you book is a simple step. With ACASS, responsibility stays with us.
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Intermediaries source available aircraft from operators and pass the trip along. Selection can depend on availability rather than on a single accountable standard, so the operator may differ from trip to trip. A direct operator removes that layer. The certificate holder, crew, and maintenance standards are the same ones that appear in your agreement, so accountability stays in one place from request to flight.
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On managed aircraft, the registered owner may need to approve each charter request. This step protects the aircraft, but it can add lead time to a booking. Coordinating directly with the operator keeps the process transparent, because you know who is handling approvals and where your request stands at each stage. Your ACASS specialist can explain what owner approval involves for your trip.
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Aircraft availability, crew duty limits, and airport constraints all shape what is operable on a given day. A request may need adjusting for timing, routing, or aircraft category. A direct operator can advise on realistic, compliant options based on its fleet and crew, so the itinerary you confirm can be flown as planned. Speak with a specialist to confirm your itinerary.
