Russia suspends AOC for Center-South Airlines

Russia’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsia, suspended the air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Center-South Airlines, effective Oct. 1, due to multiple violations. The decision was made after an unscheduled inspection on Sept. 15.

Rosaviatsia said in a statement the Belgorod-based carrier operated scheduled flights without the required number of aircraft.

Russian law states a carrier needs at least eight aircraft if it performs scheduled flights with aircraft that can carry more than 55 passengers. Center-South’s fleet included seven aircraft: two Tupolev Tu-154s, three Sukhoi Superjet 100s and two Yakovlev Yak-40s. Only four out of seven aircraft could carry more than 55 passengers.

During an analysis of flight crew activities, Rosaviatsia also discovered that the causes of near-misses were not analyzed or brought to the crew’s attention. In all, it found more than 20 commercial carrier violations. According to law, an airline has three months to correct the violations; otherwise its AOC will be canceled.

Over the past several months, Russian authorities have suspended or canceled AOCs of other carriers, including Polet,  Air Samara, KAPO Avia, Russkoye Nebo, Moskovia, Byliana and Ak Bars Aero.