HomeHow We Vet Operators
    Operator Standards

    How We Vet Charter Operators

    PrivateJetDealer is not an aircraft operator. We arrange your flight through a network of independent, certified charter operators — and we hold every one of them to a consistent set of certification, safety, and insurance standards before, and each time, you fly.

    Air Operator Certification

    Every operator we work with must hold a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from its national regulator — the FAA (Part 135) in the United States, EASA in Europe, or the equivalent civil aviation authority, all operating to ICAO standards. We confirm the certificate is current and covers the aircraft and route offered.

    Independent safety audits

    We prioritize operators that carry third-party safety ratings such as ARGUS Gold/Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, or IS-BAO registration. These programs audit an operator's procedures, training, and history beyond the regulatory minimum.

    Crew experience & currency

    We verify that flight crews meet the operator's and regulator's minimum hours, are current on the specific aircraft type, and fly under two-pilot professional standards with recurrent simulator training.

    Insurance coverage

    Operators must carry adequate hull and liability insurance for the aircraft and passengers. We confirm coverage limits are appropriate for the trip before a flight is confirmed.

    Maintenance & airworthiness

    Aircraft must be maintained under an approved maintenance program with a valid airworthiness certificate. We check that inspections are current and the aircraft is released for service by qualified engineers.

    Trip-by-trip confirmation

    Vetting is not a one-time exercise. For each booking we re-confirm the operator's certificate, insurance, and the specific aircraft's status, so the standards apply to the exact flight you take.

    Certification and safety standards we look for

    The baseline for any flight is a valid Air Operator Certificate. In the United States that means FAA Part 135; in Europe it means an EASA AOC; elsewhere it is the national civil aviation authority's equivalent — all built on ICAO international standards. Certification confirms the operator is authorized to fly paying passengers under a controlled set of procedures, training programs, and maintenance requirements.

    Beyond the regulatory floor, we give preference to operators that pass independent audits. ARGUS and Wyvern rate operators (ARGUS Gold and Platinum, Wyvern Wingman) after reviewing safety history, procedures, and crew records, while IS-BAO registration reflects a mature safety-management system based on ICAO guidance. These ratings are a strong signal that an operator invests in safety above the minimum.

    Certification alone is not enough, so we also confirm insurance limits, aircraft airworthiness, and crew currency for the specific aircraft on each trip. If any of those cannot be verified, we do not book the flight.

    Operator vetting FAQ

    Does PrivateJetDealer operate its own aircraft?
    No. PrivateJetDealer is a charter arrangement service, not an aircraft operator. We source flights from a network of independent, certified operators and handle the quoting and coordination, while the operator holds the AOC and is responsible for operating the flight.
    What certifications do your operators hold?
    Every operator must hold a current Air Operator Certificate from its national regulator (for example FAA Part 135 in the U.S. or an EASA AOC in Europe), operating to ICAO standards. We give preference to operators that also carry independent safety ratings such as ARGUS, Wyvern, or IS-BAO.
    How do you verify safety for each flight?
    We re-confirm the operator's certificate, insurance coverage, aircraft airworthiness, and crew currency on a trip-by-trip basis rather than relying on a single upfront check. This means the standards are validated against the specific aircraft and crew for your flight.
    What are ARGUS, Wyvern, and IS-BAO?
    They are the leading independent safety-audit programs in business aviation. ARGUS and Wyvern rate operators (ARGUS Gold/Platinum, Wyvern Wingman) after auditing safety procedures and history, while IS-BAO is an ICAO-based safety management standard. Ratings from these bodies indicate an operator exceeds the regulatory minimum.
    Who is responsible if something goes wrong on a flight?
    The certified operator is the party legally responsible for operating the aircraft and carries the insurance for the flight. We select and verify operators, and we confirm appropriate insurance limits are in place before every trip is booked.

    Request a Charter Quote

    Every quote we return is sourced from a vetted, certified operator. Tell us your trip and our team will follow up with available aircraft and pricing.

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