What document provides the legal framework for commercial air transport operations?

The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) serves as the crucial document that establishes the legal framework for commercial air transport operations. It is issued by the relevant aviation authority following a comprehensive evaluation of an airline's safety processes, operational capabilities, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The AOC is essential for any airline looking to operate commercially, as it demonstrates that the operator has met all necessary safety and operational requirements, including the management and control systems in place. Without it, an airline cannot legally perform commercial flights. The specifics outlined in the AOC cover various operational aspects, services, and safety procedures, ensuring that the airline adheres to both national and international aviation regulations.

While other documents like a pilot certificate, aircraft maintenance logs, and flight operations manuals play important roles in aviation safety and operations, they do not provide the overarching regulatory authorization necessary to conduct commercial air transport operations. A pilot certificate verifies an individual pilot's qualifications, maintenance logs track the upkeep and status of aircraft, and a flight operations manual outlines specific operational procedures and guidelines for a particular airline or flight crew. However, none of these documents serve as the fundamental legal framework that the AOC represents for operating an airline.