Air Service Approvals

​Foreign Operator Permit 

​​Foreign Operators Permits (FOP) in respect of foreign, civilian air services intending to operate air services into the country. The South African Air Force is responsible for the approval of military flights and the use of military airfields lowever, FOPs are required for civilian commercial flights landing at military airfields.

All non- South African air carriers that wish to undertake scheduled or non scheduled commercial international air services to South Africa are required to hold a Foreign Operators Permit (FOP) before that flight is undertaken.

​Air Service License

The Air Services Licensing Act, 1990 says no person may operate an air service except under a licence issued to that person after application to the Air Service Licensing Council. The application must be granted if the applicant satisfies the Council that inter alia the applicant (if a natural person) is a South African citizen ordinarily resident in the Republic; or (if not a natural person) is incorporated in the Republic and has at least 75% of voting rights in it held by South African citizens ordinarily resident in the Republic.And a licence application must be granted if the applicant satisfies the Council that the aircraft is registered in the Republic.