UK company ownership has no residency requirement. You can own a UK aviation company from anywhere in the world. The CAA requires nominated UK-based postholders — Accountable Manager, Head of Flight Operations, Head of Continuing Airworthiness — but the company owner does not need to be UK-based. You own the shares, appoint the management team, and receive dividends from projected charter revenue. Aircraft are separately financed post-acquisition. A UK AOC gives access to European and global charter markets.
You do not need to live in the UK to own a UK limited company. Here is what you receive.
The £50,000 buys the operating company and all 476 documents. Aircraft are separately financed. You do not need to be in the UK to own the company. You appoint UK-based postholders to manage the operation on your behalf. You receive dividends as the shareholder.
Projected Year 1 figures modelled on a 2-aircraft UK charter operation. Aircraft are separately financed. Revenue in GBP. Dividends paid to you wherever you are in the world.
| Fleet (modelled, not included) | 2 Aircraft |
| Weighted Average Charter Rate (market rate) | £5,600/hr |
| Year 1 Fleet Hours | ~960 hrs |
| Projected Year 1 Revenue | ~£5.38M |
| Variable Costs (fuel, crew, maintenance) | ~63% |
| Fixed Overhead (incl. UK management team) | £34,000/month |
| Startup Capital (excl. aircraft) | £385,000 |
| Hull Values (not included — separately financed) | £27.5M |
As a remote owner, your return comes from dividends after all operating costs, crew salaries, UK management salaries, and overheads are paid. The UK has extensive double taxation agreements with countries worldwide, which may affect how your dividends are taxed. The financial models included with the company show net profit projections under different utilisation scenarios. Consult a tax adviser in your jurisdiction for specific guidance.
The company costs £50,000. Payment can be made from anywhere in the world. Aircraft finance is a separate, global market.
The £50,000 company purchase price can be paid directly from overseas. For UK-based directors, additional operating capital can be accessed through Start Up Loans:
A UK Air Operator’s Certificate is one of the most respected aviation licences in the world. It gives you access to the UK domestic market, European charter routes, and global operations under bilateral air service agreements.
For international investors, a UK AOC represents a premium asset. The UK’s regulatory reputation, established charter market, and London’s position as a global hub for private aviation make it an attractive base for a charter operation.
The CAA requires certain roles to be filled by UK-based individuals. Here is what you need to know.
The CAA requires nominated postholders for the AOC. These are the key operational roles that must be filled by individuals who are accessible to the CAA and based in the UK (or able to fulfil their duties from the UK). The company owner does not need to be one of these postholders.
The main postholders required are:
You hire these people. They are employees or contractors of your UK company. As the company owner, you appoint them, set their remuneration, and oversee their performance at board level. The 476 documents include job descriptions, employment contracts, and reporting structures for all postholder roles.
You own the company. UK professionals run the operation. This is a well-established model in aviation. Many UK AOC holders are owned by international investors who appoint qualified UK management teams. The CAA assesses the competence of the postholders, not the nationality of the shareholders.
From international purchase to UK charter operations.
Pay from anywhere in the world. The company, all 476 documents, financial models, website, email, phone, and AOC Application-Ready documentation are transferred to you. This buys the operating company and documentation — not the aircraft.
Recruit a qualified Accountable Manager, Head of Flight Operations, Head of Continuing Airworthiness, and other required postholders. These are your UK-based management team. Job descriptions and contracts are included in the document library.
Your UK management team leads the AOC application using the 476-document pack. The CAA interviews postholders, reviews documentation, and conducts inspections. Typically 6–12 months. You oversee the process remotely.
Arrange aircraft finance through UK or international providers. The 2-aircraft model is based on a Citation Longitude (£18M) and Phenom 300E (£9.5M). International investors can access global aircraft finance markets.
AOC granted. Aircraft on the line. Your UK team runs the charter operation. You receive regular financial reports and attend board meetings remotely. Dividends are paid to you as the shareholder, wherever you are in the world.
Yes. There is no residency requirement for owning shares in a UK limited company. Non-UK residents can be shareholders and directors. Companies House requires at least one director with a UK service address (which can be a registered office address), but directors themselves do not need to be UK residents. This is standard for international business — thousands of UK companies are owned by non-UK residents.
The CAA requires the company to have nominated postholders in key operational roles: Accountable Manager, Head of Flight Operations, Head of Continuing Airworthiness, Head of Crew Training, and Head of Ground Operations. These individuals must be competent, qualified, and accessible to the CAA — which practically means UK-based or able to be in the UK at short notice. You, as the company owner, do not need to fill any of these roles. You hire qualified professionals for them.
The UK company pays UK corporation tax on its profits. Dividends paid to non-UK shareholders may be subject to withholding tax, depending on the double taxation agreement between the UK and your country of residence. The UK has double taxation agreements with over 130 countries. The specific tax treatment depends on your personal tax jurisdiction. We strongly recommend consulting a tax adviser who specialises in international corporate structures before proceeding.
Modern corporate governance supports remote oversight. Board meetings can be held via video conference. Financial reporting is delivered digitally. Banking is managed online. Your Accountable Manager and UK team handle day-to-day operations and report to you on a regular cycle. The 476 documents include governance frameworks, reporting templates, and management information packs designed for remote oversight. Many international aviation investors govern their UK operations this way.
A UK AOC gives access to the UK domestic charter market, European routes (under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provisions for air transport), and global operations under bilateral air service agreements. The UK has air service agreements with countries worldwide. London is one of the world’s largest markets for private aviation, with demand driven by the financial sector, high-net-worth individuals, corporate travel, and events. A UK AOC is one of the most respected aviation credentials globally.
Volantis Aviation — an AOC Application-Ready company structure and 476 documents. Aircraft separately financed. UK presence. Global ownership.
