Is my flight legal? Checking a charter in Germany
A paid flight needs an operator with an operating licence and an air operator certificate. In Germany both come from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which publishes a list of licensed carriers.
- Regulator
- Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA)
- Licence
- Operating licence + AOC
- LBA list dated
- 15 September 2026
- EU law
- Regulation 1008/2008
What makes a charter flight legal
Ask who the operating carrier is, then check it holds an operating licence and an air operator certificate (AOC). German carriers are licensed by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, which lists every carrier with an active operating licence. Whoever sells you the flight must tell you the operating carrier's name.
Under EU law, a company established in the EU may not carry passengers for payment unless it holds an operating licence, and that licence is only valid while the company holds an AOC covering the same activities.
German law says the same in § 20 of the Air Traffic Act: commercial carriage of passengers needs an operating licence. The LBA grants both the licence and the AOC to German carriers, and checks finances, insurance, the operations manual, maintenance oversight and the safety programme first.
Some flights fall outside these rules, such as sightseeing flights and cost-shared private flights. A business jet sold to you at a price by a company is not one of them. Read how we choose our operators and our broker disclosure.
Sources:Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Articles 2, 3, 4 and 6: operating licence and air operator certificateLuftverkehrsgesetz (LuftVG) § 20: operating licence for commercial carriage of passengersFederal service portal (FIM): licensing a German air carrier, operating licence and AOC from the Luftfahrt-BundesamtLuftfahrt-Bundesamt, 15 September 2026: licensed German air carriers with active operating licencesRegulation (EC) No 2111/2005, Articles 2 and 11: informing passengers of the identity of the operating air carrier
Operating licence and air operator certificate
The authorisation to carry passengers, mail or cargo for payment. EU law grants it only to companies with their principal place of business in the licensing state, majority EU ownership and control, adequate finances and insurance.
Confirms the operator has the professional ability and organisation to fly safely. The operating licence depends on a valid AOC that specifies the same activities.
A management system, an operations manual in parts A to D, aircraft overseen by an approved maintenance organisation, a safety programme and, for aircraft over 5.7 tonnes, an approved security programme.
Carriers flying aircraft under 10 tonnes or with fewer than 20 seats can meet a lighter financial test, such as net capital of at least €100,000.
Sources:Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Articles 2, 3, 4 and 6: operating licence and air operator certificateLuftverkehrsgesetz (LuftVG) § 20: operating licence for commercial carriage of passengersFederal service portal (FIM): licensing a German air carrier, operating licence and AOC from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
What a broker must tell you
A broker arranges the flight; the operating carrier flies it under its own licence and AOC. EU Regulation 2111/2005 treats anyone who sells you the flight as an air carriage contractor, and requires them to tell you the identity of the operating carrier.
If the operator is not yet known when you book, you must be told which carriers are likely to fly it, and then the actual operator once confirmed. If the operator changes, you must be told as soon as possible. Every Altivo quote names the operator before you pay.
How to check an operator
- 01Get the operator's legal name
Ask for the company that will operate the flight, not just the brand selling it. The seller must give you this.
- 02Find it on the LBA list
For German carriers, search the LBA's list of licensed German air carriers with active operating licences. The current edition is dated 15 September 2026.
- 03Check the aircraft and crew
Ask for the AOC number and whether the aircraft is on it, and for the pilots' names and qualifications. A legitimate operator answers without hesitation.
- 04Foreign operators
An operator from another EU country is licensed by its own national authority and holds its own operating licence and AOC. Ask for both.
- 05Compare the price
A price far below every other quote is a reason to ask questions before you pay.
Sources:Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, 15 September 2026: licensed German air carriers with active operating licencesRegulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Articles 2, 3, 4 and 6: operating licence and air operator certificateRegulation (EC) No 2111/2005, Articles 2 and 11: informing passengers of the identity of the operating air carrier
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWho licenses charter airlines in Germany?+
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA). It grants German carriers both the operating licence and the air operator certificate, and publishes a list of carriers with active operating licences.
Is a broker allowed to sell charter flights?+
Yes, but the broker does not fly the aircraft. EU law requires whoever sells you the flight to tell you which carrier operates it, including any change after booking.
Where is the LBA list of licensed carriers?+
The LBA publishes it as a PDF of licensed German air carriers. The edition we use is dated 15 September 2026. Our German charter operators page lists the carriers from it that we work with.
Does a private flight with a friend need an AOC?+
Cost-shared private flights are among the flights outside the licensing rules. A flight sold to you for profit by a company always needs an operating licence and AOC.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Articles 2, 3, 4 and 6: operating licence and air operator certificate
- 2.Luftverkehrsgesetz (LuftVG) § 20: operating licence for commercial carriage of passengers
- 3.Federal service portal (FIM): licensing a German air carrier, operating licence and AOC from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
- 4.Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, 15 September 2026: licensed German air carriers with active operating licences
- 5.Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005, Articles 2 and 11: informing passengers of the identity of the operating air carrier
Licensed operator, named on the quote.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.