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Aerocivil operational permits
Legal 500 · Practice area
Aviation Law in Colombia.
Aviation sector: regulation, leasing, and operations.
Overview
Integrated counsel.
Specialized counsel for aviation: operational permits before Aerocivil, aircraft imports, leasing and handling contracts.
4 services covered
Services
How we work aviation law.
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Aircraft imports
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Aircraft leasing
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Handling contracts
Why CMC
Specialists, not generalists.
The difference with large firms is depth of attention; with solo practitioners, breadth of coverage.
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Legal 500
Independent recognition from the international Legal 500 directory — the highest tier in Business Law in Colombia, based on research with clients and peers.
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Internationally trained
Attorneys with master's degrees and specializations from Leiden, Madrid, and Germany — combined with deep knowledge of Colombian legal practice.
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Preventive approach
We anticipate risks before they become contingencies. Early counsel always costs less than late defense.
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13 integrated areas
Every legal decision crosses multiple disciplines. At CMC a single team covers them all — without re-explaining the case to each external specialist.
How we work
From inquiry to ongoing engagement.
A clear and transparent process designed to give you peace of mind from the first contact.
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Contact
Briefly describe your situation through the form or WhatsApp. A specialist attorney will reach out within 24 business hours.
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Diagnosis
We review the key documents and map the risks. We identify which additional legal areas the case crosses to handle it holistically.
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Action plan
We present a plan with priorities, execution timelines, and defined fees before starting. No surprises, no hidden charges.
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Engagement
We execute alongside your team and become your permanent legal partner — with proactive follow-up and ongoing preventive counsel.
Frequently asked questions
What clients ask us most.
Don't see your question? Reach out and a specialist attorney responds within 24 business hours.
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What permits does an airline need to operate in Colombia?
An operating permit issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) — specific to the type of operation (scheduled, non-scheduled, cargo). Additionally: an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for domestic airlines and recognition of the air operator certificate (ACOR) for foreign airlines, route approval, aircraft certification, an approved maintenance program, civil liability insurance meeting the regulatory minimum coverage, among others. Obtaining them takes around 6 months for foreign airlines and 18 months for domestic airlines, depending on complexity. - 02+
How is an aircraft imported into Colombia?
Steps: customs clearance with DIAN (temporary or definitive import), registration with the Colombian Aircraft Registry (RAN), translation and legalization of documents from origin country, airworthiness certification by Aerocivil, and Cape Town Convention registration if international leasing applies. Temporary import under operating lease enjoys more favorable tax treatment than definitive import. - 03+
What is an aircraft lease and how is it structured?
It's the lease of an aircraft (operating or financial) between lessor (owner) and lessee (airline). Typical structure: head lease + sub-lease, deposit security agreement, assignment of rights to financing bank, redelivery clauses with aircraft condition, and registration in the International Registry of Mobile Assets. Colombian airlines operate over 70% of their fleet under this scheme. - 04+
What is an air operator's liability for an incident?
International flights: Warsaw/Montreal Conventions (strict liability for damage to passengers and cargo, with indemnity limits). Domestic flights: Commerce Code and RAC (Colombian Aviation Regulations), strict liability with lower limits. Aviation insurance coverage should be reviewed annually — legal limits often fall short of actual indemnity awards. - 05+
What regulations does Aerocivil apply to air operations?
The Colombian Aviation Regulations (RAC) — over 200 regulations covering certification, operations, safety, environment, air consumer rights (RAC 3), and more. Aerocivil has broad sanctioning powers (RAC 13): fines, suspension and cancellation of the operating permit. Regular regulatory audits are critical to avoid penalties from findings in air-operator inspections.
Related areas
Aviation Law often intersects with these other areas.
Request a consultation
Need counsel on aviation law?
Briefly describe your case. An attorney from the team will contact you within 24 business hours to schedule an evaluation session.