What is an AOC/CTA?

AOC/CTA stands for Air Operator Certificate or Certificat de Transporteur Aérien.
This document authorizes an airline to operate. It is issued by the air transport surveillance authority (Autorité de surveillance du transport aérien), and attests to the airline's capacity to operate flights in complete safety. In France, the civil aviation board's safety department (DSAC) issues AOCs to French air travel businesses. They are first issued for a maximum period of one year, and are renewed for two or three years.