Dominican Republic-based tour operator ReefJet now has its own Part 135 air operator certificate (AOC), issued after an extensive certification process that accredits the company as a charter airline for domestic and international flights.

The certification, issued by the Dominican Aviation Institute (IDAC), will allow ReefJet to operate its own flights, in its own aircraft, to the destinations it has been offering since 2013 as a tour operator with other airlines, such as Bahía de las Águilas in the southern part of the Dominican Republic, the Samana peninsula and the rest of the Caribbean.

“This certification, which accredits us as an air operator, marks the beginning of a project that has been taking shape for years, and which has been possible thanks to the teamwork of the entire ReefJet staff together with the certification team of the regulatory body IDAC,” says operations manager Geraint Maria.

The company has two Cessna 402B aircraft, both with capacity for up to nine passengers, with which it will meet demand for short distance charter flights and air excursions. It also has trained staff for operational, managerial and cabin functions.

“At the moment we are happy with the current fleet, but we are looking to request DOT to enter the US, specifically Puerto Rico, since it is a very attractive route to fly on a charter basis,” he adds. “And we are also in conversation with Cessna about possibly upgrading our fleet with brand new Caravans to fly our domestic routes and tours, across the island and to Haiti. For our international plans we are looking for something more robust and multi-engined, perhaps the King Air 200 or 350.

“We call ourselves the first ‘leisure airline’ of the Dominican Republic. We are an airline devoted to both local and foreign tourism, and with this new air operator certificate we seek to consolidate our tourism products and create new experiences.”

In order to obtain the AOC, ReefJet has had to comply with legal regulations in force by the local authorities, which include education and training of operational, administrative and managerial personnel, base inspection and flight line checks.

“We hope to be part of the development and recovery of tourism in the Dominican Republic with this new air operator certificate,” Maria concludes.