The objective of Part 119 is to set standards, specifications, restrictions, and requirements for the issue and exercise of an Air Operator certificate under the Civil Aviation Act 2023, and to ensure New Zealand meets and maintains applicable ICAO standards and recommended practices for air operations, which include Air Transport Operations (ATO) and Commercial Transport Operations (CTO). Part 119 prescribes specific requirements for the certification (entry standards), operation (continued operations), and safety audit (monitoring and evaluation) of operators carrying out air operations.

Part 119 introduces two levels of certification—

  • airline air operator certification that permits air operations in all sizes of aircraft
  • general aviation air operator certification that permits air operations in helicopters, and aeroplanes with nine or less passenger seats.

Download the PDF version of the rule consolidation of Part 119 [PDF 260 KB] or browse the content below.

Consolidations of the Civil Aviation Rules are for reference – they are not the official versions of the rules – to view those, see 'history of amendments'.

The history of amendments below, when expanded, shows copies of the original issue, amendments, and re-issues of this Part. Other legislative changes shown are for reference – to view the full version of the relevant amendment Act, see www.legislation.govt.nz(external link)

View Part 119 Air Operator Certification

 

Amendment Effective date NPRM Summary of submissions
Amendment 1 [PDF 328 KB] 5 April 2025 NPRM 24-02 [PDF 989 KB] Summary [PDF 901 KB]
Initial issue [PDF 900 KB] 5 April 2025    

For an archived version, which includes history of amendments under the 1990 Act, please see Part 119 archived.

Part 119 certificated operators

The following navigation specifications require CAA approval:

RNP 10, RNP 4, RNP 2, RNP 1, RNP APCH (LNAV & LNAV/VNAV), RNP APCH (LP & LPV), A-RNP, RNP 0.3 and RNP-AR.