Flight Operations

Air Operators desiring to engage in air operations in the Republic of Kosovo shall obtain and possess a current and valid Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) issued by the CAAK.

In order to obtain the necessary certificates and licences, air operators have to comply with the legal and operational conditions that are specified by Kosovo, EU and ICAO legislation. The CAAK is also the authority responsible for prosecution and administrative proceedings if the relevant regulations are not complied with.

The Flight Operations Section conducts oversight of air operators through assessments of general flight operations, including operations manuals and quality systems. All licences for flight operations are subject to the Section’s control and approval. The Flight Operations Section oversees commercial and private aviation. Assessments of ferry flights are carried out, as well as technical assessments of national and foreign aircraft. Furthermore, Flight Operations Inspectors monitor specific flights and verify whether they are conducted in accordance with current rules.

Certification applies to commercial aviation companies in accordance with the provisions of Regulation No. 4/2015 (Air Operations). It includes and carries out the functions related to:

• Issuance, extension of validity and changes of Air Operator Certificate and the relevant special approvals (CAT II, CAT III, LVTO, MNPS, ETOPS, RNAV, RNP, Dangerous Goods, CC Initial Safety Training and attestation);
• Issuance of the approvals for the performance of Non-Commercial Operations with Complex Motor Powered Aircraft (NCC) / Specialized Operations (SPO);
• Issuance of the approvals for non-commercial operations with other than complex motor powered aircraft (NCO);
• Issuance of the approvals for the Non-Commercial Operations with other than Motor Powered Aircraft;
• The implementation of continuous monitoring of compliance with prescribed conditions and the safety oversight of operations;
• Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA);
• Cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Kosovo related to procedures for issuance of operational licenses to commercial air carriers;

This section also contains all relevant information for commercial helicopter operations and the corresponding legal bases.

For correct application of the applicable regulations it is essential to know the definition of complex motor powered aircraft:

airplane:

• with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, or
• certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or
• certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or
• equipped with turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, or

helicopter:

• with a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3 175 kg, or
• with a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or
• for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

aircraft with a tilt rotor.

Regulations